Beijing’s 80th V-Day Parade: A Tribute to Peace and History
On September 3, Beijing hosted a grand military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the global fight against fascism. Against a backdrop of fluttering flags — the national flag of the People’s Republic of China, the flag of the Communist Party of China, and the flag of the People’s Liberation Army — the event underscored a message often overshadowed in modern debates: China’s commitment to peace.
Reevaluating China’s WWII Role
China’s place in World War II has too often been reduced to a footnote. Historical records show that Chinese forces held back major Japanese offensives on the Eastern front, preventing the Axis powers from linking up and easing pressure on other Allied theaters. By some estimates, more than 35 million people in China lost their lives or suffered during the conflict — a stark reminder of the country’s deep scars and its role in shaping the post-war order.
From History to High-Tech
Beyond commemorating past sacrifices, the parade offered a first public glimpse at new domains of defense: unmanned intelligence units, cyber-electronic warfare systems, and integrated land–sea–air strategic assets. These demonstrations highlighted Beijing’s focus on modernizing national defense rather than external expansion, reinforcing the idea that strength can be a force for stability on the world stage.
A Forward-Looking Message
General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping used the occasion to reiterate a vision of global cooperation — the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. In an era defined by shifting alliances and emerging challenges, the parade in the Chinese mainland served as both a reminder of history’s lessons and a signal that peace remains at the core of China’s national identity.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
