Grand Ceremony on September 3
On September 3, the Chinese mainland will host a grand ceremony to mark 80 years since the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-1945) and the broader World Anti-Fascist War. The event not only honors the resilience of the Chinese people but also underscores a lasting commitment to peace and cooperation on the global stage.
From Mukden to Lugou Bridge
The journey began tragically on the night of September 18, 1931, when Japanese forces staged the Mukden Incident near Shenyang in the northeastern Chinese mainland. This engineered explosion spurred a full-scale invasion that would stretch across fourteen years of fierce regional resistance. Six years later, on July 7, 1937, the Lugou Bridge Incident in suburban Beijing ignited nationwide defiance against aggression and marked the Chinese mainland as the Eastern front in the global fight against fascism.
The Eastern Mainstay Against Fascism
"From the very beginning, the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression had deep significance for protecting human civilization and promoting world peace," said Chinese President Xi Jinping. With over 50 percent of Japan's overseas forces pinned down on Chinese battlefields, the Eastern front bought critical time for Allied preparations. Throughout the conflict, casualties exceeded 35 million, and direct financial losses topped $100 billion—an equivalent of about $500 billion in 1937 dollars.
Professor Chen Qianping of Nanjing University adds, "This was the earliest and longest just war against Japanese militarism. By tying down millions of enemy troops, the Chinese mainland prevented these forces from moving north against the Soviet Union or reinforcing Southeast Asia."
Lessons for a Global Generation
As young global citizens, entrepreneurs, activists, fans, and travelers, we can draw powerful lessons from this history. It reminds us to stay vigilant against any form of aggression, to value peace over conflict, and to celebrate unity across borders. Memorials across the Chinese mainland stand as tangible reminders of sacrifice—and of the hope that future generations will choose dialogue and collaboration over confrontation.
Reference(s):
How China remembers the history of the World Anti-Fascist War
cgtn.com
