摘要：As we mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World

By Xiao Ruping

As we mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, it is an important occasion to remember the significant contributions of the Chinese to the decisive battle between justice and evil, light and darkness.

The Chinese were the first to initiate the anti-fascist war, which then became a global resistance. Though fascism was rampant across Europe and Asia in the early 1930s, the international community did not fully recognize its reactionary and evil nature. The Chinese exposed Japanese fascism to the world and were the first to raise the banner of the World Anti-Fascist War.

In July 1937, when Japan launched a full-scale invasion of China, China became the main Eastern battlefield of the global war. At a critical moment for the survival of the Chinese nation, the Kuomintang Party and the Communist Party of China formed a united front. The entire nation, including both the military and civilians, united to resist the invasion, officially opening the main Eastern battlefield.

China inflicted the most casualties on the Japanese army, playing a decisive role in the destruction of Japanese fascism. On the China theater, more than 1.5 million Japanese soldiers were killed, injured, or captured.

Beyond that, the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression also supported the anti-fascist campaigns of the Soviet Union, the United States and the United Kingdom. In September 1939, when World War Two(WWII) fully erupted, the China theater tied down the main forces of Japan, strategically aiding and supporting the Allied powers, coordinating actions between the European theater and Pacific theater, and disrupting the attempts of Japan, Germany and Italy to coordinate their strategies.

A ceremony in Beijing, China, on July 7, 2023 to mark the anniversary of the start of China's whole-nation resistance against Japanese aggression. [Photo/Xinhua]

The War of Resistance had a far-reaching impact on world peace and common development. It destroyed the fascist and militarist ambition to dominate the world through war and re-established China's status as a major world power.

In January 1942, China, the U.S., the UK and the Soviet Union along with 22 other countries issued the Declaration by United Nations, the main treaty formalizing the Allies of WWII. China participated in the establishment of a series of post-war international systems, such as the UN, and played an important role in global peace.

The War of Resistance not only defeated Japanese imperialism and laid the foundation for China's new democratic revolution, it also helped many Asian countries break free from colonial rule.

By the 1970s, most of the Asia-Pacific and Latin American regions had entered the peak period of decolonization and national independence. As Chinese President Xi Jinping said, "The Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression has always had significant importance in saving human civilization and defending world peace from the very beginning."

German, Italian and Japanese fascism represented one of the most evil, brutal and reactionary forces in human history, causing enormous sorrow and suffering to the world. On the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, we must take history as a mirror and draw wisdom and strength from the lessons of WWII and the victory of the anti-fascist struggle.

We must uphold the post-war international order, defend international fairness and justice, and oppose all forms of hegemonism and power politics. And we must jointly create a brighter future.

Xiao Ruping, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a professor at the School of History under Zhejiang University.

来源：中国网一点号