This year marks the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War (World War II).
As a Chinese, I pay special attention to the significant contributions the Chinese people made to ending the war and building world peace.
First, the West holds immense narrative power over World War II. Through historical research, commemorative events, museums, novels, art, film, the media, and propaganda, Western narratives have led many around the world to believe that the United States, Britain, and other Western countries were the only heroes in defeating German Nazism and Japanese militarism, while deliberately downplaying or omitting the crucial contributions of the Soviet Union and China to the victory in World War II. Many believe that the Allied landings in Normandy (D-Day) and the American atomic bomb were the ultimate weapons that forced Germany and Japan to surrender. This is mainly because of the West’s Cold War-era portrayal of the Soviet Union and China as enemies, and their deliberate denigration of both. It also fully exposes the West’s sense of superiority, arrogance, bias, and disrespect for history. To correctly understand history and draw lessons from it, we must restore its true face, which is also a way to pay tribute to the people of China and the former Soviet Union, who suffered the heaviest casualties during the war, and offer comfort to the war dead on these lands.
Second, World War II was fought on three major fronts: the Western Front, in Western Europe; the Eastern Front, in Eastern Europe (mainly in the Soviet Union); and the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (war of resistance) — the main theater of combat in Asia. The war of resistance erupted as early as the September 18th Incident (a localized war of resistance) in 1931, long before the outbreak of war on the Western Front in 1939. The September 18th Incident was the actual starting point of World War II. The July 7th Incident of 1937 marked the launch of Japan’s full-scale invasion of China, which ignited China’s nationwide war of resistance. Fighting on the Chinese front lasted for 14 years, until Japan’s announcement of its unconditional surrender on Aug 15, 1945. This made it the earliest and longest theater of combat in World War II. China suffered the heaviest casualties (followed by the Soviet Union with estimates ranging from 24 million to 27 million dead). Total Chinese military and civilian casualties exceeded 35 million, and the economic losses were incalculable. Judging from the fact that the war of resistance effectively plunged the Japanese army into a quagmire of battles and consumed a large amount of its military strength, the Chinese people’s contribution to ending World War II was immense and indispensable.
As a Chinese, I pay special attention to the significant contributions the Chinese people made to ending the war and building world peace
Third, under the iron hooves of Nazi Germany and Japanese militarism, many countries either surrendered or were conquered. China was among the very few countries that persevered through arduous, extremely costly and protracted struggles, preferring death to surrender and fighting numerous bloody battles without fear of sacrifice. This embodies the Chinese people’s indomitable national spirit. The war of resistance was a heroic and relentless war of national liberation. In the desperate situation of a militarily strong Japan and a weak China, China was largely isolated. Without much outside support during most of the war, and faced with horrific cruelty, the Chinese people demonstrated tremendous courage and perseverance in the struggle for national survival. They preserved the independence and dignity of the country and nation, shattered Japan’s evil ambitions, and ultimately achieved victory, earning the admiration and respect of people around the world and significantly enhancing China’s international status and reputation.
Fourth, China’s desperate fight against Japan during the war made an indelible contribution to the ultimate victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. Throughout World War II, a significant number of Japanese troops were trapped on the China battlefield, preventing them from achieving their strategic goal of swiftly destroying China to expand invasion into other regions. Crucially, Japan was unable to launch an offensive on the Soviet Union’s eastern flank, which otherwise would have made it difficult for the Soviet Union to repel the Nazi army’s advances. This allowed the Soviet Union to concentrate on defeating Nazi Germany. With Japanese troops tied up on the China battlefield, Japan’s ambition to dominate Asia and jointly dominate Eurasia and the world with Nazi Germany were thwarted. After the outbreak of the Pacific War, the China battlefield still tied up many Japanese troops, preventing them from devoting their full forces to fighting the US and Britain, enabling the Allied strategy of “Europe first, Asia later” and eventually bringing about Japan’s defeat in the Pacific War. China’s persistent resistance and willingness to sacrifice bought precious time and space for the world anti-fascist alliance, contributing to its ultimate victory in World War II. It’s no exaggeration to say that China made a decisive contribution to the final triumph of World War II.
Fifth, because of the West’s monopoly on global discourse on World War II, China’s sacrifices and contributions during the war have not received their due recognition and respect internationally. Consequently, China’s role in achieving world peace has also not been adequately honored. Restoring history to its proper form is essential both at home and abroad. Domestically, in promoting patriotic education, all Chinese people, especially young people, must have a correct understanding of the sacrifices and outstanding achievements of the Chinese people in the war of resistance and the victory of World War II, thereby elevating their confidence and pride in their country and nation. Internationally, the world must be informed of China’s tremendous contributions to maintaining world peace and the Chinese people’s love of and commitment to peace, as well as China’s role as a peace envoy that opposes aggression, war and the use of force, as an advocate for resolving issues through peaceful means, and as an adherent to the principle of “persuading reconciliation and promoting dialogue”. In today’s era of frequent wars and threats to world peace, China’s role as a peacekeeper can be counted on. The grand military parade to be held in Beijing today is a good opportunity for the world to gain a clearer idea of China’s determination and capability to uphold global peace.
Finally, China’s war of resistance also forged a deep sense of unity among the Chinese people, fostering a shared hatred of the enemy, unity of purpose, solidarity, and shared responsibility for the national crisis. It also significantly enhanced the Chinese people’s national consciousness, national identity and national spirit. Previous national “plagues” — localism, clannishness, sectarianism and separatism — were significantly weakened by the nationwide war mobilization. The large-scale migrations caused by the war also deepened understanding among Chinese people in different regions. These changes in thinking, behavior, and social organization laid a solid foundation for China’s future transformation into a strong nation and its great rejuvenation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. Today’s China is no longer a “pile of loose sand”, as it was once derided by many. Instead, it is a highly organized society capable of mobilizing the whole nation under the central government’s strong leadership, one that is united, resilient and motivated, possessing immense strength and resolve to achieve national modernization and respond to foreign aggression.
The author is a professor emeritus of sociology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and a consultant to the Chinese Association for Hong Kong and Macao Studies.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
