Commentary
On April 25 two significant events stand out. They have parallels, yet occurred at different times, in different countries and involved different peoples—Australians, New Zealanders, Turks, and Chinese.
What happened on April 25, 1915, at Gallipoli in Turkey, is well known to most Australians and New Zealanders. ANZAC Day remembers the sacrifices of 16,000 Australian and New Zealand Army Corps troops who landed at Gallipoli. It now also commemorates Australians and New Zealanders who have served, or continue to serve, in other military and peacekeeping operations. It is also an important day in Turkey commemorating Turkish soldiers who died at Gallipoli.
What happened on April 25, 1999, in Beijing is not widely known. Yet it is a significant day of remembrance for millions of people in China and around the world who practise Falun Dafa (Falun Gong), a spiritual practice in the Buddhist tradition based on meditation and the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance.
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