Beijing: China commemorated the 79th anniversary of its victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the global war against fascism with a symposium held in Beijing on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.

The event was attended by Shi Taifeng, a key member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of its United Front Work Department. The gathering highlighted the significance of China's triumph in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, marking the country’s full victory in the global fight against fascism. This historic victory reasserted China’s position as a major global power and earned the respect of peace-loving people worldwide.

During the symposium, leaders from the United Front Work Department, the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee, and the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission, along with veteran soldiers and students, shared reflections on the war. They discussed the courage and determination of the Chinese people during the conflict and emphasized their ongoing commitment to peace and development.

The event was attended by approximately 200 people, including relatives of war veterans, officers, martyrs, and foreign allies or their descendants who supported China during the war.

Beginning in 2014, China's Standing Committee of the National People's Congress designated September 3 as Victory Day to highlight the nation's crucial role in the Allied victory during World War II.

As the primary eastern battlefield in World War II, China played a decisive role in achieving global peace. This significant contribution was underscored by Mikhail Morozov, deputy editor-in-chief of Russia's Trud newspaper, who remarked that China's involvement was immense, with 35 million Chinese soldiers and civilians either killed or wounded during the conflict.

Morozov emphasized that historical records reveal the strategic actions of Chinese troops during World War II effectively restrained the Japanese army, preventing them from joining the war against the Soviet Union, as Adolf Hitler had urged Tokyo to do.

In recent years, some groups have attempted to distort the historical truths of World War II for political purposes. In this context, the importance of China and Russia's cooperation in resisting these revisions cannot be overstated, Morozov added.

China's approach to modernization, the largest effort of its kind in human history, is firmly rooted in its commitment to peaceful development, as affirmed by China's senior diplomat Wang Yi during the 2022 Munich Security Conference. Wang emphasized that peaceful development is not merely a temporary measure or diplomatic phrase but a strategic choice based on deep reflections on past experiences, present circumstances, and future aspirations.

Wang highlighted that China's painful history of foreign aggression and expansion has ingrained in the nation a deep appreciation for peace and development. On issues critical to the future of humanity, China's involvement is essential, noted Chen Liming, chair of Greater China at the World Economic Forum.

As the world's second-largest economy, China plays a vital role in various fields, including global politics, economics, and technological innovation. Chen pointed out that the global governance system is undergoing significant changes, with China increasingly contributing to its improvement.

"China is prepared to collaborate with all nations to build an open, inclusive, clean, and beautiful world characterized by lasting peace, universal security, and shared prosperity," Wang Yi stated at a press conference during the annual session of the National People's Congress in March.