History is a compass guiding our present. This week marks the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War – a milestone that ripples far beyond any single nation.
Chinese President Xi Jinping opened the commemoration by reflecting that "the Chinese people will stand firmly on the right side of history and on the side of human progress." His words underscore a global invitation: to build a community with a shared future for humanity.
The victory of 1945 bequeathed three enduring truths: justice will prevail, peace will endure, and people will triumph. Today, as new challenges emerge – from geopolitical tensions to climate crises – these pillars remind us that solidarity and moral courage are timeless forces.
Over 14 years of resistance, from the 1931 September 18 Incident to the all-out war ignited at Lugou Bridge in 1937, Chinese patriots faced overwhelming odds. More than 35 million soldiers and civilians were wounded or perished, and entire communities lay in ruins. Yet their sacrifice reshaped world history.
Former U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt famously called China's defense "magnificent," noting that its resilience prevented Japanese forces from redirecting troops to other fronts – a move that would have altered the course of the Allied victory.
Out of this crucible emerged the great spirit of resistance: national solidarity ("the rise and fall of the nation rests on the shoulders of all"), unwavering integrity ("better to die as jade than to live as tile") and indomitability ("to fight on, even in the face of annihilation").
For young global citizens, entrepreneurs, changemakers and travelers alike, this anniversary is more than history. It's a call to action: to stand for justice, champion peace and write the next chapter of shared humanity. Because 80 years on, responsibility belongs to all of us.
Reference(s):
Survival to Responsibility: Enduring Legacy of Anti-Fascist Victory
cgtn.com
