Uphold a Correct View of WWII History and Firmly Defend Historical Justice

At this moment of profound historical significance, as we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War, and the World Anti-Fascist War, President Xi Jinping is paying a state visit

在纪念中国人民抗日战争、苏联伟大卫国战争暨世界反法西斯战争胜利80周年这一具有深远历史意义的时刻，习近平主席对俄罗斯进行国事访问并出席纪念苏联伟大卫国战争胜利80周年庆典。这是一次回望历史、着眼未来，传承友谊、捍卫正义的历史性访问，这次访问不仅是对中俄并肩战斗取得伟大胜利的庄严纪念，更是要同各国一道，坚持正确二战史观，共同捍卫战后国际秩序。

President Xi Jinping, in his signed article titled “Taking History as a Mirror and Creating a Better Future” published in *Rossiyskaya Gazeta*, pointed out: “We must take history as a mirror, draw wisdom and strength from the profound lessons of World War II and the great victory of the anti-fascist war, resolutely oppose all forms of hegemonism and power politics, and jointly create a better future for humanity.” Ensuring that the victorious outcomes of World War II are not violated, upholding the correct view of WWII history, and maintaining the post-war international order are important components of defending historical justice. Especially against the backdrop of the current proliferation of trends that deny the achievements of WWII and distort the historical truth of WWII, defending historical justice with the correct view of WWII history has significant practical and far-reaching historical significance.

习近平主席在《俄罗斯报》发表题为《以史为鉴 共创未来》的署名文章指出：“我们要以史为鉴，从第二次世界大战的深刻教训和反法西斯战争的伟大胜利中汲取智慧和力量，坚决反对一切形式的霸权主义和强权政治，共同创造人类更加美好的未来。”确保二战胜利成果不容侵犯、坚持正确二战史观、维护战后国际秩序，是捍卫历史正义的重要内容。尤其是在当下种种否定二战成果、歪曲二战历史真相思潮泛起的背景下，以正确二战史观捍卫历史正义具有重要的现实意义和深远的历史意义。

Defending Historical Justice Requires Ensuring That the Victorious Outcomes of World War II Are Not Violated

捍卫历史正义要确保二战胜利成果不容侵犯

Justice is humanity’s eternal pursuit of a rational social order. Both Western thinkers since ancient Greece and Chinese thinkers since the pre-Qin period have regarded justice as an important subject of study. Marxism critically developed the justice theories of previous thinkers, established a historical materialist view of justice, took real human beings and their material production activities as the starting point, and constructed the practical dimension of justice theory. From the perspective of the Marxist view of historical justice, history is the solid foundation of justice, and historical justice originates from just history.

正义是人类对合理社会秩序的永恒追求。古希腊以来的西方思想家和先秦以来的中国思想家都把正义作为一个重要的研究主题。马克思主义批判性地发展了以往思想家们的正义思想，奠定了历史唯物主义的正义观，以现实的人及其物质生产活动为出发点，构建了正义理论的实践维度。在马克思主义的历史正义观看来，历史是正义的坚实基础，历史正义源于正义的历史。

President Xi Jinping pointed out: “History tells us that light will surely

习近平主席指出：“历史告诉我们，光明必将驱散黑暗，正义终将战胜邪恶。”正义的力量是不可战胜的，历史正义的内核就是正确的历史事实与历史叙事，捍卫历史正义首先要保证历史事实与历史叙事不被歪曲。第二次世界大战是人类历史上的一场空前浩劫，捍卫历史正义首先要确保二战胜利成果不容侵犯。对于中国和苏联来说，二战胜利成果主要包括：第一，打败了日本军国主义和德国法西斯的侵略，捍卫了国家独立和主权。曾经被日本强占的台湾和澎湖列岛回归中国。第二，在联合国成立中发挥关键作用，构建战后新的国际秩序，推动人类进入总体和平的新时代。中国和苏联率先在《联合国宪章》上签字，取得联合国安理会常任理事国的历史地位。第三，积极支持民族解放运动，促使战后殖民体系瓦解，改变了世界政治格局。

The smoke of history will eventually dissipate, but historical memory will not fade. The Chinese and Soviet peoples endured immense suffering and an exceptionally brutal baptism of war from foreign invasion, fought shoulder to shoulder in an arduous struggle, provided each other with selfless assistance, made tremendous sacrifices, and achieved great victories, establishing great historical merits in defending human dignity and rebuilding world peace.

历史的硝烟终会散去，但是历史记忆不会消逝。中国人民和苏联人民遭受了外来侵略带来的巨大磨难和异常严酷的战争洗礼，肩并肩展开艰苦卓绝的斗争，相互给予无私援助，付出巨大牺牲，取得伟大胜利，为捍卫人类尊严、重建世界和平建立了伟大的历史功勋。

History will not forget that in the just war concerning the fate of humanity, the World Anti-Fascist War, the peoples of China and the Soviet Union supported each other, shared blood ties, and forged a profound fighting friendship. In the difficult times of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Volunteer Air Group "soared through the skies" and blocked the Japanese invaders in Nanjing, Wuhan, Chongqing, and other places. Between 1937 and 1941, over 2,000 Soviet pilots served in the Soviet Volunteer Air Group, with more than 200 sacrificing their lives heroically in China. At the most critical juncture of the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War, the "Oriental Sorge" — Yan Baohang, an outstanding underground worker of the Communist Party of China — provided first-hand intelligence to the Soviet side. The Soviet Union supplied China with large quantities of weapons and equipment, while China also shipped urgently needed strategic materials to the Soviet Union; the two countries played an important role in supporting each other's anti-fascist wars.

历史不会忘记，在世界反法西斯战争这场关乎人类命运的正义战争中，中苏两国人民相互支援、血脉相连，结下深厚的战斗友谊。在中国人民抗日战争的艰难时刻，苏联援华航空队在南京、武汉、重庆等地“鹰击长空”、阻击日寇。1937年至1941年间，2000多名苏联飞行员参加了苏联援华航空队，200余人在中国英勇牺牲。在苏联伟大卫国战争最危急关头，“东方佐尔格”——中国共产党的优秀地下工作者阎宝航，向苏方提供第一手情报。苏联向中国提供大批武器装备，中国也向苏联输送急需战略物资，两国为支援彼此的反法西斯战争发挥了重要作用。

President Xi Jinping pointed out: "The memory and truth of history will not fade with the passage of time; the enlightenment they bring will forever reflect reality and illuminate the future." Defending historical justice means recognizing the victorious outcomes of World War II and cherishing our shared historical memory. The victorious outcomes of WWII are a weighty piece of history and a great memory. It is not only a shared historical memory of the Chinese and Russian peoples but also a common historical memory of all peace-loving people worldwide who contributed to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. Over the past 80 years, this historical memory has not been forgotten with the passage of time; instead, it has been integrated into our spirit and blood, transformed into dignity and value, and become a precious spiritual asset shared by all humanity.

习近平主席指出：“历史的记忆和真相不会随着岁月流逝而褪色，带给我们的启迪永远映照现实、昭示未来。”捍卫历史正义就是要承认二战胜利成果，缅怀共同历史记忆。二战胜利成果是一份沉甸甸的历史，更是一份伟大的记忆。它不仅是中俄两国人民共同的历史记忆，也是全人类爱好和平的、为世界反法西斯战争胜利作出贡献的人们共同的历史记忆。80年来，这份历史记忆并没有随时间流逝而被淡忘，而是融入精神与血液，转化为尊严与价值，成为全人类共同的宝贵精神财富。

Defending historical justice requires upholding a correct view of WWII history

捍卫历史正义要坚持正确二战史观

President Xi Jinping emphasized: "We must uphold a correct view of WWII history." The Marxist view of historical justice holds that a just history is guided by a correct view of history; without a correct view of history, there is no just history, and thus no historical justice. The view of WWII history and the victorious outcomes of WWII are of the same lineage. A correct view of WWII history is the embodiment, at the level of spirit and values, of historical cognition and historical memory based on respect for the victorious outcomes of WWII. Defending historical justice requires upholding a correct view of WWII history. A correct view of WWII history mainly includes: First, China and the Soviet Union played a pivotal role in the main theaters of Asia and Europe respectively, making decisive contributions to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. Second, the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression began the earliest, lasted the longest, faced the most difficult circumstances, and suffered the greatest sacrifices, and was an important component of the World Anti-Fascist War. Third, the Communist Party of China was the first to raise the banner of armed resistance against Japan. Under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people fought valiantly and achieved the great victory of the War of Resistance. Fourth, the Nuremberg International Military Tribunal and the Far East International Military Tribunal forever nailed war criminals to the pillar of shame in history; the just nature, historical value, and contemporary significance of these two great trials are unshakable.

习近平主席强调：“我们要坚持正确二战史观。”马克思主义的历史正义观认为，正义的历史以正确的历史观为指导，没有正确的历史观就没有正义的历史，也就没有历史正义。二战史观与二战胜利成果一脉相承，正确二战史观就是在尊重二战胜利成果基础上的历史认知与历史记忆在精神与价值观层面的体现。捍卫历史正义就要坚持正确二战史观。正确二战史观主要包括：第一，中苏两国分别在亚洲与欧洲主战场发挥中流砥柱的作用，为世界反法西斯战争胜利作出了决定性贡献。第二，中国人民抗日战争开始时间最早，持续时间最长，处境最艰难，牺牲最大，是世界反法西斯战争重要组成部分。第三，中国共产党率先高举武装抗日旗帜。在中国共产党的坚强领导下，中国人民英勇奋战，取得了抗日战争的伟大胜利。第四，纽伦堡国际军事法庭、远东国际军事法庭把战犯永远钉在历史的耻辱柱上，这两场大审判的正义性质、历史价值、时代意义不可撼动。

The victory of WWII was a great victory for the forces of human justice, a symbol of justice triumphing over evil and light over darkness, bringing the dawn of peace and development to the world. To correctly view the history of WWII, we must uphold a correct view of WWII history and firmly defend historical justice. This shared historical memory of the WWII victory is not only a vivid portrayal of China and the Soviet Union fighting side by side against Japanese militarism and German fascism but also a precious historical legacy of the immense sacrifices made by the entire international community in the pursuit of peace. It deserves to be cherished and respected by all humanity. The renowned Russian historian Klyuchevsky said: "If we lose the memory of history, our souls will be lost in darkness." Upholding a correct view of WWII history and guarding our shared historical memory of WWII is of great historical significance. Regrettably, 80 years after the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, there are still a few people who ignore the ironclad historical facts and the tens of millions of innocent lives lost in the war, go against the tide of history, and repeatedly deny or even whitewash the history of aggression, drawing strong condemnation from peace-loving people around the world, including the Chinese people.

二战的胜利是人类正义力量的伟大胜利，是正义战胜邪恶、光明战胜黑暗的象征，为世界带来了和平与发展的曙光。正确看待二战历史，就要坚持正确二战史观，坚定捍卫历史正义。二战胜利这一共同的历史记忆，不仅是中苏两国并肩作战反抗日本军国主义与德国法西斯主义的生动写照，也是整个国际社会为追求和平而付出巨大牺牲的宝贵历史遗产，理应得到全人类的共同呵护与尊重。俄罗斯著名历史学家克柳切夫斯基说：“如果丧失对历史的记忆，我们的心灵就会在黑暗中迷失。”坚持正确二战史观，守护共同的二战历史记忆具有重大历史意义。令人遗憾的是，在中国人民抗日战争和世界反法西斯战争胜利80年后的今天，仍然有少数人无视铁的历史事实，无视在战争中牺牲的数千万计的无辜生命，逆历史潮流而动，一再否认甚至美化侵略历史，引起了包括中国人民在内的全世界爱好和平人民的强烈谴责。

To defend historical justice, one must acknowledge that China and the Soviet Union served respectively as the main battlefields of World War II in Asia and Europe, were the mainstays in resisting Japanese militarism and German Nazism, and made decisive contributions to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. Looking at the Asian main battlefield of World War II, the Chinese people, for ten years after 1931, resisted the Japanese aggressors alone, propping up the Asian main battlefield of the World Anti-Fascist War. In the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the sons and daughters of China, one after another and with united effort, paid the immense sacrifice of over 35 million military and civilian casualties, effectively coordinating with Allied operations on other battlefields and also providing important support for the Soviet Union to avoid fighting on two fronts. In this process, the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Anti-Japanese National United Front advocated and established by the CPC played a key role. After the September 18 Incident [1]1 The September 18 Incident refers to a staged event on September 18, 1931, used by the Japanese Kwantung Army as a pretext to invade and occupy Northeast China, marking the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War., the CPC was the first to raise the banner of armed resistance against Japan, advocated for and established the Anti-Japanese National United Front, and ultimately led the Chinese nation to thoroughly defeat the Japanese militarists, making a major contribution to the victory of WWII.

捍卫历史正义就必须承认中国、苏联分别作为第二次世界大战的亚洲和欧洲主战场，是抗击日本军国主义和德国纳粹主义的中流砥柱，为世界反法西斯战争胜利作出了决定性贡献。从第二次世界大战的亚洲主战场来看，中国人民在1931年以后的10年时间里，独自抵抗日本侵略者，支撑起世界反法西斯战争的亚洲主战场。在抗日战争中，中华儿女前赴后继、勠力同心，付出了3500多万军民伤亡的巨大牺牲，有力配合了盟军在其他战场的作战，也为苏联避免两线作战提供了重要支持。在这一过程中，中国共产党的领导以及中国共产党倡导并建立的抗日民族统一战线发挥了关键作用。“九一八”事变后，中国共产党率先高举武装抗日的旗帜，倡导并建立抗日民族统一战线，最终领导中华民族彻底打败日本军国主义者，为二战胜利作出重大贡献。

Regarding the immense contributions of China and the Soviet Union on the main battlefields of Asia and Europe respectively, all people with conscience and a sense of justice have a responsibility to uphold a correct view of WWII history. On the 80th anniversary of the victory of WWII, leaders from over 20 countries and international organizations attended the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War victory, also based on this concept. At this significant and special moment, people watched the grand military parade and laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, expressing the highest respect for the martyrs who fought bloody battles with the most solemn ceremonies. Based on this shared historical memory, China and Russia, through their respective anniversary commemorations, forever remember the righteous feats of their peoples in safeguarding world peace, honor the tens of millions of martyrs who sacrificed for the freedom and independence of future generations and the innocent civilians who were killed, and pay high tribute to the veterans who performed feats of combat during the war years and the heroic home-front workers.

对于中苏两国分别在亚洲和欧洲主战场上的巨大贡献，一切有良知、有正义感的人们都有责任坚持正确二战史观。二战胜利80周年之际，来自世界20多个国家及国际组织领导人出席纪念苏联伟大卫国战争胜利80周年庆典，也是基于这样的理念。在这一重大而特殊的时刻，人们通过观看盛大阅兵式，向无名烈士墓献花，以最隆重的仪式向浴血奋战的先烈表达崇高敬意。基于这一共同的历史记忆，中俄两国分别通过纪念日庆典永远铭记两国人民维护世界和平的正义壮举，缅怀为子孙后代自由和独立而牺牲的数千万英烈以及遇害的无辜平民，向在战争年代立下战斗功勋的老战士和英雄的后方劳动者致以崇高敬意。

However, some Western countries manipulate ideology and public opinion through means such as historical nihilism [2]2 Historical nihilism is a term used in Chinese political discourse to describe the alleged distortion or denial of officially recognized historical narratives, particularly regarding the CPC's role in modern Chinese history., double standards, and discourse reconstruction, deliberately downplaying, distorting, or even tampering with the historical contributions of China and the Soviet Union in WWII, attempting to shake the righteous foundation of the post-war international order by distorting historical narratives, in order to perpetuate their global hegemonic position. In this context, the heads of state of China and Russia once again emphasized jointly promoting a correct view of WWII history. This is not only a strong condemnation of historical revisionism and the act of tampering with history but also demonstrates a firm determination to defend international fairness and historical justice. During President Xi Jinping's visit to Russia, the heads of state of China and Russia jointly signed and issued the "Joint Statement of the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation on Further Deepening the China-Russia New Era Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Coordination on the Occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War Victory, and the Founding of the United Nations" (hereinafter referred to as the "Joint Statement"). This not only reaffirms the firm commitment to safeguarding the international system with the United Nations at its core and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter but also elevates upholding a correct view of WWII history to a strategic component of bilateral institutionalized cooperation. Its specific measures cover multiple aspects: holding educational and commemorative activities in various forms; further excavating and researching evidence and historical materials of the crimes of Nazi Germany and Japanese militarism during WWII, and jointly holding commemorative activities at the sites where events changed the course of WWII history; cooperating in the search for the remains of martyrs and missing persons and in improving relevant legal and regulatory foundations; and so on.

但是，有些西方国家通过历史虚无主义、双重标准与话语重构等手段操控意识形态和舆论宣传，刻意淡化、扭曲甚至篡改中国与苏联在二战中的历史贡献，试图通过曲解历史叙事来动摇战后国际秩序的正义根基，以延续其全球霸权地位。在此背景下，中俄两国元首再次强调共同弘扬正确二战史观，不仅是对历史修正主义与篡史行径的强烈谴责，更展现了捍卫国际公平与历史正义的坚定决心。在习近平主席访问俄罗斯期间，中俄两国元首共同签署并发表《中华人民共和国和俄罗斯联邦在纪念中国人民抗日战争、苏联伟大卫国战争胜利和联合国成立80周年之际关于进一步深化中俄新时代全面战略协作伙伴关系的联合声明》（以下简称《联合声明》），不仅重申将坚定维护以联合国为核心的国际体系、以《联合国宪章》宗旨和原则为基础的国际关系基本准则，更将坚持正确二战史观上升为双边机制化合作的战略内容。其具体措施涵盖多个方面：以各种形式举行教育、纪念活动；进一步发掘和研究二战时期纳粹德国和日本军国主义罪行证据和史料，并在改变二战历史进程的事件发生地共同举办纪念活动；在搜寻烈士和失踪人员遗骸以及完善相关法律法规基础等方面开展合作；等等。

President Xi Jinping emphasized: "Any attempt to distort the truth of WWII history, deny the outcomes of the WWII victory, or smear the historical achievements of China and the Soviet Union will not succeed!" History must not be desecrated, the truth must not be distorted, and memory must not be erased. History is history, facts are facts; no one can change history and facts. The Chinese people, who have made immense sacrifices, will unswervingly defend the history written with blood and life. Anyone who attempts to deny, distort, or even glorify the history of aggression will never be accepted by the Chinese people and the people of all countries!

习近平主席强调：“一切歪曲二战历史真相、否定二战胜利成果、抹黑中苏历史功绩的图谋都不会得逞！”历史不能亵渎，真相不能歪曲，记忆不能抹杀。历史就是历史，事实就是事实，任何人都不可能改变历史和事实。付出巨大牺牲的中国人民，将坚定不移捍卫用鲜血和生命写下的历史。任何人想要否定、歪曲甚至美化侵略历史，中国人民和各国人民绝不答应！

Defending historical justice requires resolutely upholding the authority of the United Nations and international fairness and justice.

捍卫历史正义要坚决维护联合国权威和国际公平正义

President Xi Jinping pointed out: "The more chaotic and intertwined the international situation becomes, the more we must uphold and safeguard the authority of the United Nations, firmly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and continuously advance an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization." The founding of the United Nations, including the return of Taiwan to China, are outcomes of the WWII victory and important components of the post-war international order. Defending historical justice requires unequivocally opposing any attempt to tamper with history, upholding the authority of the United Nations and international fairness and justice, and confirming China's sovereignty over Taiwan; the historical and legal facts are beyond doubt.

习近平主席指出：“国际形势越是变乱交织，我们越要坚持和维护联合国权威，坚定维护以联合国为核心的国际体系、以国际法为基础的国际秩序、以联合国宪章宗旨和原则为基础的国际关系基本准则，持续推进平等有序的世界多极化、普惠包容的经济全球化。”联合国的成立，包括台湾回归中国都是二战胜利成果，是战后国际秩序的重要组成部分。捍卫历史正义就要旗帜鲜明地反对任何篡改历史的企图，维护联合国权威和国际公平正义，确认中国对台湾的主权，历史和法理事实不容置疑。

The post-war international order is a symbol of international fairness and justice. The victory of WWII was the result of the World Anti-Fascist Alliance transcending ideological and national interest differences to join hands in resisting aggression, achieving international fairness and justice. Currently, to seek their own hegemony and selfish interests, some countries plot to tamper with the outcomes of the WWII victory and attempt to subvert the principles of the post-war international order. Such behavior is a disregard for historical lessons and a challenge to international fairness and justice. The world needs fairness, not hegemony. The historical experiences and lessons of WWII clearly reveal that only by achieving international fairness and justice can the foundation of world peace be solidified. Although the war is far behind us, the historical lessons and great spirit of WWII should not be forgotten, and the principles of international fairness and justice should not be abandoned.

战后国际秩序是国际公平正义的象征。二战的胜利是世界反法西斯同盟超越意识形态与国家利益分歧，携手并肩反抗侵略的成果，实现了国际公平正义。当下，为谋求自身霸权和私利，部分国家图谋篡改二战胜利成果，企图颠覆战后国际秩序原则，这种行为是对历史教训的漠视，也是对国际公平正义的挑战。世界要公道，不要霸道。二战的历史经验与教训清晰地揭示，只有实现国际公平正义，才能筑牢世界和平的根基。战争虽已远去，但二战的历史教训和伟大精神却不应被遗忘，国际公平正义原则不应被抛弃。

History not only carries the memory of the past but also constitutes the value-identification foundation of contemporary international relations and the spiritual pillar of a fair and just international order. The outcomes of the WWII victory crystallized into the multilateral cornerstone with the United Nations at its core, constructing the basic norms of modern international relations. In today's complex and volatile international situation, upholding a correct view of WWII history and drawing historical wisdom and strength from it are of extremely important significance for maintaining world peace and adhering to international fairness and justice.

历史不仅承载着对过去的记忆，更是构成当代国际关系的价值认同基础与公平正义国际秩序的精神支柱。二战的胜利成果凝结为以联合国为核心的多边主义基石，构筑起现代国际关系的基本准则。在当今复杂多变的国际形势下，坚持正确二战史观，汲取其中的历史智慧和力量，对于维护世界和平、坚守国际公平正义具有极其重要的意义。

Both China and Russia are major countries with significant influence and constructive forces in maintaining global strategic stability and improving global governance. Based on historical responsibility and the mission of the times, China and Russia emphasized in the "Joint Statement": "China and Russia will firmly stand on the side of international justice, and are willing to join peace-loving peoples of all countries in resolutely upholding the post-war international order and jointly building a bright future for mankind." We firmly believe that the people of all countries in the world will also choose to stand on the correct side of history and the side of fairness and justice, joining hands to strive for a brighter future for humanity.

中国和俄罗斯都是具有重要影响力的大国，是维护全球战略稳定、完善全球治理的建设性力量。基于历史的责任与时代的使命，中俄两国在《联合声明》中强调：“中俄将坚定站在国际正义一边，愿同世界各国热爱和平的人民一道，坚决维护战后国际秩序，共建人类美好未来。”我们坚信，世界各国人民也都会选择站在历史正确一边、站在公平正义一边，携手为人类争取更加光明的未来。

(The author is a professor at the School of Politics and International Relations, East China Normal University)

（作者为华东师范大学政治与国际关系学院教授）

(This edition's articles are organized by the Global Times editorial board and edited by the Theory Department of the People's Daily)

（本版文章由环球时报社组稿、人民日报社理论部编辑）

Online Editor: Tongxin

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