On Sept. 3, the Chinese government will hold a ceremony at Tiananmen Square in Beijing to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, with a key event being a military parade. This will mark the climax of a series of activities throughout the year to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance.
Why does China commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression?
First, it is to remember the lessons of history and to honor the immense sacrifices and contributions of our predecessors, reaffirming the concepts of justice and peace. The Japanese invasion of China was an unprecedented catastrophe in modern Chinese history, resulting in over 35 million casualties, widespread suffering, and severe setbacks in the country's modernization process.
In the first half of the 20th century, the world was severely troubled by colonialism, fascism, and militarism, with the barbaric logic of the survival of the fittest running rampant. On September 18, 94 years ago, the Japanese army initiated the Mukden Incident, bringing immense suffering to the Chinese people. On July 7, 88 years ago, the Japanese military launched the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, marking the beginning of a full-scale invasion of China, putting the country in a critical situation of life and death. In August 1937, the extremely brutal and bloody Battle of Shanghai broke out. The fiercely tragic defense of the Battle of Sihang Warehouse occurred during the Battle of Shanghai.
Subsequently, the horrific and indescribable Nanjing Massacre, along with the Chinese military and civilians' steadfast resistance in battles such as the Battle of Pingxingguan, the Battle of Wuhan, the Fight of Changsha, the Battle of Zaoyang–Yichang, the Hundred Regiments Offensive, and the Battle of Changde, repeatedly demonstrated the brutality, savagery, evil, and crimes against humanity of the Japanese invasion of China. These events also revealed to the world the indomitable spirit of the Chinese people amidst disaster.
Commemorating the War of Resistance is not only an expression of sympathy and consolation for the suffering of the entire nation but also a declaration against acts of aggression and a reaffirmation of the principles of justice and peace. At any time, a person with a sense of conscience should not endorse acts of aggression or fascism, nor should they deny fundamental historical truths or ignore the national catastrophe.
Second, the War of Resistance Against Japan significantly stimulated the national consciousness and patriotism of the Chinese people, inspiring unprecedented unity, cooperation, and self-reliance.
The lessons of the War of Resistance serve as a warning to the Chinese people that maintaining justice and peace requires not only a steadfast moral stance and joint efforts from the international community but also a strong national strength. In 1945, China achieved victory in the War of Resistance, and in 1949, the People's Republic of China was established. In 1978, China began its reform and opening-up policy, embarking on the path of resurgence.
Commemorating the War of Resistance is a way to honor our predecessors and reaffirm the significance of national independence, self-reliance, and self-strengthening.
Third, the Chinese War of Resistance is an important part of the global anti-fascist war and serves as a historical basis for China's status as one of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. The Chinese resistance was not isolated; like the European anti-fascist struggle, it is an essential component of humanity's efforts to maintain peace.
In contrast to Germany, which has reflected more on its acts of aggression and crimes against humanity, Japan has engaged in relatively little reflection on its wartime actions, often deliberately downplaying or evading historical responsibility. This has resulted in Western societies having a deeper understanding of the suffering caused by fascism in Germany and Italy, while being less informed about Japan's militarism and the suffering of the Chinese people. This reality is evidently unfair and does not align with historical truth. Therefore, China's commemoration of the War of Resistance is beneficial for enhancing global awareness of Japan's invasion and militarism, and for upholding fundamental historical truths.
Peace is hard-won, and maintaining it should be a shared responsibility of the entire world. However, upholding peace cannot be mere rhetoric or sympathy; it must be backed by strength. History serves as a mirror to understand the rise and fall of nations. Through the commemoration of the War of Resistance, Chinese society aims to respect history, honor our ancestors, and strive for self-reliance, while also learning from the narrow nationalism and the brutal logic of survival of the fittest that characterized Japan's invasion, injecting elements of peace, development, and justice into a world still filled with geopolitical struggles and conflicts.
(Source: HK01; Video Source: YouTube; English Editor: Kiki)
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