On Anzac Day, hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Australia and New Zealand to honor their war dead in solemn ceremonies and marches. The day holds special significance as it marks the anniversary of the landing of the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps on the beaches of Gallipoli during World War I.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese participated in dawn services in their respective countries. Albanese even traveled to a World War II memorial in Papua New Guinea with Prime Minister James Marape to pay tribute to the soldiers who fought in the Pacific theater.
During the ceremonies, Albanese emphasized the importance of remembering the sacrifices made by those who served in the wars. He highlighted the enduring security ties between Australia and Papua New Guinea, which were strengthened by a security agreement signed last year.
Meanwhile, tensions in the region are mounting due to the rivalry between the United States and China. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently visited Papua New Guinea to discuss building closer relations, raising concerns about the strategic competition in the region.
Despite the geopolitical tensions, the focus of Anzac Day remained on honoring the fallen soldiers and thanking military personnel for their service. Police in Sydney reassured the public of their safety during the commemorations, following the arrest of teenagers with extremist ideologies in the area.
As the day came to a close, residents in Sydney turned out in large numbers to pay their respects and remember the sacrifices made by those who served their countries.