This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War. The valor of Chinese forces was crucial in upholding global peace during this historical period. Despite rising unilateralism and attempts to distort history, the lessons from this war remain relevant.
China officially entered the war after the Mukden Incident on September 18, 1931, which ignited the main theater in the Asia-Pacific for the global struggle against fascism. Mainstream Western historians often overlook Japan’s early aggression, focusing instead on the German invasion of Poland in 1939, thereby neglecting China’s significant contribution to defeating Japanese fascism.
The Chinese military, alongside civilians, inflicted heavy losses on Japanese forces during WWII, with over 70% of Japanese soldiers defeated. China suffered more than 35 million casualties and incurred economic losses exceeding $600 billion (in 1937 currency). China’s struggle was not isolated; it also supported anti-fascist efforts in other regions and facilitated Allied operations in the Asia-Pacific by providing troops and resources.
The victory in the Chinese People’s War was a collective achievement within the anti-fascist alliance. The historical contributions of China and the Soviet Union have often been downplayed, despite their pivotal roles in the global fight against fascism.
China’s commitment to a postwar world is frequently ignored, even though it played a decisive role in forming the UN and other international economic organizations. The lessons from this conflict highlight China’s essential role in protecting the world from fascism and the need to recognize its contributions to the post-war international order. The article emphasizes that the historical significance of China’s efforts must be celebrated and remembered as part of humanity’s ongoing fight for justice.
