Firmly Defending the Historical Contributions of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression to the Victory of the World Anti-Fascist War

The World Anti-Fascist War was a great struggle in which justice triumphed over evil, light over darkness, and progress over reaction. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized in many speeches that the great Chinese people’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression opened up the main Eastern battlefield of the World Anti-Fascist War, was an important part of that war, and made major contributions to its victory. We must fully recognize the major contributions made by the Chinese people’s War of Resistance to the great cause of winning world peace, remember the bitter years of the flames of war, cherish the fruits of victory won with blood, and steadfastly serve as guardians of historical memory, partners in development and rejuvenation, and defenders of international fairness and justice.

世界反法西斯战争是正义战胜邪恶、光明战胜黑暗、进步战胜反动的伟大斗争。习近平总书记在多次讲话中强调，伟大的中国人民抗日战争，开辟了世界反法西斯战争的东方主战场，是世界反法西斯战争的重要组成部分，为世界反法西斯战争胜利作出了重大贡献。我们要充分认识中国人民抗日战争为争取世界和平伟大事业作出的重大贡献，铭记苦难的烽火岁月，珍惜血染的胜利成果，坚定做历史记忆的守护者、发展振兴的同行者、国际公平正义的捍卫者。

I. The China Theatre Was the Main Eastern Battlefield of the World Anti-Fascist War and Made Historic Contributions to Defending Peace and Resisting Fascism

一、中国战场是世界反法西斯战争的东方主战场，作出了保卫和平、反抗法西斯主义的彪炳史册的历史贡献

Fascism was an evil force in modern human history. General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed: “The Chinese people’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, from its very beginning, had the great significance of saving human civilization and defending world peace, and was an important part of the World Anti-Fascist War.” This is a profound insight into the world significance of the Chinese people’s War of Resistance.

法西斯是人类现代历史上的一股邪恶势力。习近平总书记强调：“中国人民抗日战争，从一开始就具有拯救人类文明、保卫世界和平的重大意义，是世界反法西斯战争的重要组成部分。”这是对中国人民抗日战争世界意义的深刻洞察。

The China Theatre resisted world fascism the earliest, lasted the longest, fought and destroyed the most Japanese troops, and paid the greatest price, playing a decisive role in the complete destruction of the Japanese aggressors. The brutal invasion by Japanese militarism aroused the Chinese people’s heroic resistance. The September 18 Incident [1]1 The September 18 Incident (1931), also known as the Mukden Incident, was a staged event that served as a pretext for the Japanese invasion of Northeast China. became the starting point of the Chinese people’s War of Resistance and also lifted the curtain on the World Anti-Fascist War. The July 7 Incident [2]2 The July 7 Incident (1937), also known as the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, triggered the full-scale outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War. marked the beginning of China’s whole-nation war of resistance, thereby opening up the main Eastern battlefield of the World Anti-Fascist War. During the period of Japan’s strategic offensive and China’s strategic defensive, the total military forces committed by China and Japan exceeded 4 million, the front line stretched over 1,800 kilometers, the flames of war spread across more than ten Chinese provinces, the area of war zones was about 1.6 million square kilometers, and the population directly or indirectly involved in the war reached 400 million. In this war, the China Theatre destroyed over 1.5 million Japanese troops, accounting for more than 70 percent of Japan’s total casualties in World War II; after Japan’s defeat, a total of over 1.28 million Japanese troops surrendered to China, accounting for more than 50 percent of Japan’s overseas surrender forces at the time. In resisting Japanese aggression, the Chinese nation suffered immense sacrifices. According to incomplete statistics, Chinese military and civilian casualties exceeded 35 million; calculated at 1937 exchange rates, direct economic losses exceeded US$100 billion, and indirect economic losses exceeded US$500 billion. The China Theatre’s protracted and powerful resistance against the Japanese invasion forces and its enormous attrition accelerated the destruction of Japanese fascism.

中国战场抗击世界法西斯开始时间最早、持续时间最长、抗击和消灭日军最多、付出代价最大，对日本侵略者的彻底覆灭起到了决定性作用。日本军国主义的野蛮侵略，激起中国人民的奋勇抵抗。九一八事变成为中国人民抗日战争的起点，并揭开了世界反法西斯战争的序幕。七七事变成为中国全民族抗战的开端，由此开辟了世界反法西斯战争的东方主战场。在日本战略进攻、中国战略防御期间，中日双方投入总兵力达400余万人，战线长达1800多公里，战火遍及中国十多个省区，战区面积约160万平方公里，中国直接和间接卷入战争的人口达4亿之多。在这场战争中，中国战场歼灭日军150多万人，占日军在第二次世界大战中伤亡总数的70%以上；日本战败后，向中国投降的日军共128万余人，占当时日军海外投降总兵力的50%以上。为抵御日本侵略，中华民族牺牲惨重。据不完全统计，中国军民伤亡3500万人以上；按1937年的比值折算，直接经济损失1000多亿美元，间接经济损失5000多亿美元。中国战场对日本侵略军旷日持久的有力抗击和巨大消耗，加速了日本法西斯走向灭亡。

The China Theatre actively promoted strategic cooperation among the Allies of the World Anti-Fascist War and played an important role in the establishment of the international anti-fascist united front. The harm posed by German, Italian, and Japanese fascism was global, and resisting fascism had to be strengthened through global cooperation. In March 1937, Comrade Mao Zedong profoundly pointed out: “We advocate the establishment of a Pacific united front among China, Britain, the United States, France, and the Soviet Union; otherwise there is the danger of being defeated one by one by the enemy.” In February 1938, Comrade Mao Zedong again called out: “Now is the time for China, the United States, and all other countries opposed to the threat of aggression to unite further against the enemy.” Comrade Mao Zedong’s correct views were like a lamp in the darkness, illuminating the correct path for the world anti-fascist struggle. On New Year’s Day 1942, with China, the United States, Britain, and the Soviet Union as the lead, 26 countries signed the Declaration by United Nations [3]3 The Declaration by United Nations (January 1, 1942) was a pledge by 26 Allied nations to continue fighting the Axis powers, leading to the formation of the United Nations. in Washington, marking the formal establishment of the international anti-fascist united front; on the third day after the signing of the Declaration by United Nations, the China Theatre [4]4 The China Theatre was established in 1942 as an Allied command under Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, covering China, Vietnam, Thailand, and northern Burma. was formally established, to command Chinese forces and Allied forces in Vietnam, Thailand, and other countries. At this point, the Chinese people, through more than ten years of fighting alone against Japanese fascism, made a major contribution to the establishment of the international anti-fascist united front.

中国战场积极推动世界反法西斯同盟国战略合作，为国际反法西斯统一战线的建立发挥了重要作用。德意日法西斯的危害是全球性的，反法西斯必须加强全球合作。1937年3月，毛泽东同志就深刻指出：“我们主张中、英、美、法、苏建立太平洋联合战线，否则有被敌人各个击破的危险。”1938年2月，毛泽东同志再次呼吁：“现在，是中美两国及其他一切反对侵略威胁的国家更进一步联合对敌的时候了。”毛泽东同志的正确主张，犹如黑暗中的一盏明灯，照亮了世界反法西斯斗争的正确道路。1942年元旦，由中美英苏4国领衔，全球26国在华盛顿签署《联合国家宣言》，这标志着国际反法西斯统一战线的正式建立；《联合国家宣言》签署第3天，中国战区正式成立，统一指挥中国及在越南、泰国等国的同盟国军队。至此，中国人民以自己10余年独自反抗日本法西斯的英勇奋战，为国际反法西斯统一战线的建立作出重大贡献。

The China Theatre strategically coordinated with and supported Allied operations and played an important role in the strategic coordination of other theaters in the World Anti-Fascist War. The reason the China Theatre was honored as the main Eastern battlefield was also because it demonstrated important strategic value in the World Anti-Fascist War. “Northern Advance” and “Southern Advance” [5]5 “Northern Advance” and “Southern Advance” were Japanese strategic plans to invade Siberia (Northern Advance) or Southeast Asia and the Pacific (Southern Advance). were the strategic plans formulated by the Axis powers Germany and Japan for the East. However, the sustained and powerful resistance of the China Theatre curbed Japan’s “Northern Advance” plan to invade Siberia, preventing the Soviet Union from having to fight on two fronts, and also restrained and delayed Japan’s “Southern Advance” thrust into Southeast Asia. Soviet Marshal Vasily Chuikov [6]6 Vasily Chuikov (1900–1982) was a Soviet military commander who served as a military attaché in China (1940–1942) and later became a Marshal of the Soviet Union. once said: “During our most difficult war years, Japan did not attack the Soviet Union, but instead bathed China in blood. Anyone who respects objective facts cannot ignore this obvious and indisputable fact.” When the Chinese resistance was in an extremely difficult stalemate with large swathes of national territory lost, the Chinese government, in accordance with the strategic needs of the international anti-fascist alliance, resolutely dispatched elite troops to form the Chinese Expeditionary Force, which was urgently deployed to Burma to fight alongside the Allies against Japan. China, as an important strategic base for Allied operations against Japan in the Asia-Pacific region, provided airfields, harbors, and large quantities of strategic materials and military intelligence, and supported the Allies’ anti-fascist struggle with manpower, material resources, and finances. China’s protracted resistance not only won precious strategic preparation time for the anti-fascist countries such as the Soviet Union, the United States, and Britain, but also played an important role in ensuring that the Allies could implement the “Europe first, Asia second” grand strategy.

中国战场在战略上策应和支持了盟国作战，对世界反法西斯战争其他战场胜利起到了战略配合的重要作用。中国战场之所以被誉为东方主战场，还因为中国战场在世界反法西斯战争中显示出重要的战略价值。“北进”和“南进”是轴心国德日双方制定的在东方的战略计划。然而，中国战场的持续有力抗击，遏制了日本侵犯西伯利亚的“北进”计划，使苏联避免了两线作战，也牵制和推迟了日本进攻南洋的“南进”步伐。苏联元帅崔可夫曾说，在我们最艰苦的战争年代里日本也没有进攻苏联，却把中国淹没在血泊中，稍微尊重客观事实的人都不能不考虑到这一明显而无可争辩的事实。在中国抗战面临大片国土沦陷处于极为艰难的相持阶段，中国政府仍根据国际反法西斯同盟的战略需求，毅然派出精锐部队组成远征军，紧急开赴缅甸，与盟军共同对日作战。中国作为亚太地区盟军对日作战的重要战略基地，为盟国提供了机场、港湾以及大量的战略物资和军事情报，在人力、物力、财力上支援了同盟国的反法西斯斗争。中国的持久抗战，不但为苏、美、英等反法西斯国家赢得了宝贵的战略准备时间，而且为保证同盟国实施“先欧后亚”大战略起了重要作用。

From August 1940 to January of the following year, the Eighth Route Army [7]7 The Eighth Route Army was one of the main Communist-led military forces during the Sino-Japanese War, operating in North China. launched the Hundred Regiments Offensive [8]8 The Hundred Regiments Offensive (August–December 1940) was a major campaign launched by the Eighth Route Army against Japanese forces in North China. against the Japanese. This was the largest and longest-lasting strategically offensive campaign launched by the Eighth Route Army in North China since the start of the whole-nation war of resistance. The photo shows a machine-gun position of the Eighth Route Army during the bloody battle on Mount Shinai in Shanxi Province in the first phase of the campaign. Xinhua News Agency.

1940年8月至翌年1月，八路军对日军发动了百团大战。这是全民族抗战以来八路军在华北发动的规模最大、持续时间最长的一次带战略性进攻的战役。图为战役的第一阶段在山西狮垴山血战中的八路军机枪阵地。 新华社发

The China Theatre actively supported the anti-fascist struggle of the Asian peoples and became a banner of anti-fascism in the Asian theater. As the main Eastern battlefield, the China Theatre provided enormous support to the anti-fascist struggle of the Asian peoples. The Chinese Communist Party had always advocated that the Asian peoples unite to confront the enemy. In October 1941, it convened in Yan’an [9]9 Yan’an, in Shaanxi Province, was the revolutionary base of the Chinese Communist Party from 1936 to 1948. the “Congress of the Oriental Nations for Opposing Fascism” [10]10 The Congress of the Oriental Nations for Opposing Fascism (October 1941) in Yan’an brought together delegates from various Asian countries to coordinate anti-fascist efforts., attended by more than 130 delegates from Korea, Japan, India, Vietnam, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, and other countries and regions, and established the “Yan’an League of Oriental Nations for Opposing Fascism.” This grand meeting played an extremely important role in promoting united resistance against Japan among the Asian peoples. In March 1942, China drafted the “Outline Plan for Activities in Vietnam” [11]11 The Outline Plan for Activities in Vietnam (March 1942) was a Chinese government document guiding support for Vietnamese resistance forces against Japan. , guiding Vietnamese resistance forces to develop and grow in China; in December, it adopted the “Guiding Plan for Supporting the Korean Restoration Movement” [12]12 The Guiding Plan for Supporting the Korean Restoration Movement (December 1942) provided economic and political support to Korean independence fighters. , providing economic support and political solidarity to Korean resistance forces. China actively supported overseas compatriots in participating in the anti-fascist struggle, such as supporting the resistance of Chinese overseas in the Philippines, Burma, and Vietnam. The heroic resistance of the China Theatre also greatly inspired the national liberation struggles of the Asian peoples spiritually.

中国战场积极支援亚洲人民反法西斯斗争，成为亚洲战场反法西斯主义的一面旗帜。作为东方主战场，中国战场对亚洲人民反法西斯斗争给予了巨大支援。中国共产党一直主张亚洲人民团结起来共同对敌，于1941年10月在延安召开了“东方各民族反法西斯代表大会”，来自朝鲜、日本、印度、越南、缅甸、泰国、马来西亚、菲律宾、印尼等国家和地区的130多名代表参加，成立了“延安东方各民族反法西斯联盟”。这次盛会，对亚洲人民团结抗日起到了极重要的促进作用。1942年3月，中国拟定了《对越策动计划大纲》，指导越南抗日力量在华发展壮大；12月，通过了《扶助朝鲜复国运动指导方案》，为朝鲜抗日力量提供经济支持和政治声援。中国积极支持海外侨胞参加反法西斯斗争，如支持菲律宾、缅甸、越南等地华人华侨的抗日斗争。中国战场英勇抗战，也从精神上极大地鼓舞了亚洲人民的民族解放斗争。

II. The Historical Contributions of the China Theatre Were the Collective Creation of the Whole Nation’s United and Tenacious Struggle, Demonstrating the Powerful Strength of the Chinese Nation in Upholding the Cause of Human Justice

二、中国战场的历史贡献是全民族万众一心顽强拼搏的共同创造，彰显了中华民族维护人类正义事业的强大力量

The victory of the Chinese people’s War of Resistance was a great victory achieved by the whole nation united in heart and courage. General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed: “The great Chinese people’s War of Resistance lifted the awakening and unity of the Chinese nation to an unprecedented height.” From the battlefield behind enemy lines to the main battlefield [13]13 The “main battlefield” refers to areas held by the Kuomintang government, while the “battlefield behind enemy lines” refers to Communist-led guerrilla areas in Japanese-occupied territory. , from domestic compatriots to overseas compatriots, all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation built an iron Great Wall of resistance against Japanese fascism with their own flesh and blood.

中国人民抗日战争胜利是全民族众志成城奋勇抗战的伟大胜利。习近平总书记强调：“伟大的中国人民抗日战争，使中华民族的觉醒和团结达到了前所未有的高度。”从敌后战场到正面战场，从国内同胞到海外侨胞，全体中华儿女以血肉之躯筑起了抵抗日本法西斯的钢铁长城。

The historical contributions of the China Theatre profoundly interpret the Chinese nation’s pursuit of the value of loving peace and using force only to stop force. The Chinese nation loves peace; the concept of “valuing harmony” has been passed down through generations, while the idea that “to stop war with war, even if it means war, that is permissible” [14]14 This classical quotation is from the Chinese military text “The Methods of the Sima” (Sima Fa), meaning that going to war can be justified if it stops further war. is also deeply rooted. After Japanese imperialism launched the September 18 Incident and invaded China, the Chinese Communist Party clearly proposed using a national revolutionary war to drive Japanese imperialism out of China. To guide the nation in scientific and effective resistance, Comrade Mao Zedong wrote “On Protracted War” [15]15 “On Protracted War” (1938) is a series of lectures by Mao Zedong outlining the strategy of a long-term war of attrition against Japan. , which put forward a whole set of methods for trapping the enemy in the vast ocean of a people’s war. On the anti-Japanese battlefield, guerrilla warfare, mobile warfare, and positional warfare — all forms of operations coordinated with each other to fight the enemy; strategic protracted defensive warfare on interior lines and campaign and battle quick-decision offensive warfare on exterior lines — dialectically unified strategy and tactics were flexibly employed; ambushes, raids, mine warfare, tunnel warfare, sparrow warfare — the people’s inventions for killing the enemy blossomed everywhere… History tells us that the ability to fight is the prerequisite for stopping war, that preparation for fighting may make it unnecessary to fight, and the more one cannot fight, the more likely one is to be bullied — this is the dialectic of war and peace. On the new journey, we must accurately grasp the new characteristics of national security strategic needs in the New Era, earnestly grasp and tighten military struggle preparations, and comprehensively enhance our strategic capability to safeguard peace and defend national sovereignty, security, and development interests.

中国战场的历史贡献深刻诠释了中华民族热爱和平、以武止戈的价值追求。中华民族是爱好和平的民族，“以和为贵”理念世代相传，“以战止战，虽战可也”观念也深入人心。日本帝国主义发动九一八事变侵略中国后，中国共产党就明确提出以民族革命战争驱逐日本帝国主义出中国。为指导全国科学有效抗战，毛泽东同志写下《论持久战》，提出了陷敌于人民战争汪洋大海的一整套办法。在抗日战场上，游击战、运动战、阵地战，各种作战形式互相配合共同抗敌；战略上的内线的持久的防御战和战役战斗上的外线的速决的进攻战，辩证统一的战略战术灵活使用；伏击战、破袭战、地雷战、地道战、麻雀战，人民群众的杀敌创造遍地开花……历史告诉我们，能战方能止战，准备打才可能不必打，越不能打越可能挨打，这就是战争与和平的辩证法。新征程上，必须准确把握新时代国家安全战略需求的新特点，抓紧抓实军事斗争准备，全面提升维护和平、捍卫国家主权安全和发展利益的战略能力。

The historical contributions of the China Theatre fully display the national spirit of the Chinese nation that fears no violence and dares to struggle. Chinese civilization is the only civilization in the world that has never been interrupted and continues to develop to this day. One very important reason is that the Chinese nation is not intimidated by any enemy. In this national liberation struggle — the longest, largest, and most costly struggle against foreign invasion by the Chinese people in modern times — the Chinese Communist Party was the most resolute defender of national independence, the most steadfast protector of national interests, the bravest fighter against foreign aggression, fought on the front line of the War of Resistance, supported the hope of national salvation, and became the mainstay of the whole-nation War of Resistance. Countless sons and daughters of China, like the “March of the Volunteers” [16]16 The “March of the Volunteers” is a wartime song from the 1930s that became the national anthem of the People’s Republic of China. sings, “March on, march on, march on,” displaying a fearless heroic spirit. Yang Jingyu, Zhao Shangzhi, Zuo Quan, Peng Xuefeng, Tong Linge, Zhao Dengyu, Zhang Zizhong, Dai Anlan [17]17 These eight Chinese generals were prominent military commanders who died in action during the Sino-Japanese War. and other anti-Japanese generals, the Eighth Route Army’s “Five Heroes of Langya Mountain” [18]18 The Five Heroes of Langya Mountain (1941) were five Eighth Route Army soldiers who fought to the death rather than surrender. , the New Fourth Army’s [19]19 The New Fourth Army was the other main Communist-led military force, operating in central and eastern China. “Liu Laozhuang Company” [20]20 The Liu Laozhuang Company (1943) was a New Fourth Army unit that sacrificed itself in a rear-guard action against Japanese forces. , the eight women warriors of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army [21]21 The eight women warriors of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army (1938) drowned themselves rather than be captured. , the Kuomintang army’s “Eight Hundred Heroes” [22]22 The Eight Hundred Heroes (actually about 420) were Chinese soldiers who defended a warehouse in Shanghai in 1937 against a much larger Japanese force. , and many other heroic groups are outstanding representatives of the Chinese people who feared no violence and sacrificed their lives for the country. History proves that daring to struggle and daring to win is a powerful spiritual force that overcomes all difficulties, obstacles, and strong enemies. On the new journey, we must strengthen our ambition, backbone, and confidence, not believe evil, not fear ghosts, not fear pressure, and rely on tenacious struggle to open new horizons for our endeavors.

中国战场的历史贡献充分展现了中华民族不畏强暴、敢于斗争的民族精神。中华文明是世界上唯一没有中断、发展至今的文明，究其原因，很重要的一点是中华民族不被任何敌人所吓倒。在这场近代以来中国人民反抗外敌入侵持续时间最长、规模最大、牺牲最多的民族解放斗争中，中国共产党捍卫民族独立最坚定，维护民族利益最坚决，反抗外来侵略最勇敢，战斗在抗日战争最前线，支撑起中华民族救亡图存的希望，成为全民族抗战的中流砥柱。无数中华儿女像《义勇军进行曲》所奏唱的那样，“冒着敌人的炮火，前进！前进！前进！进”，展现了大无畏的英雄主义精神。杨靖宇、赵尚志、左权、彭雪枫、佟麟阁、赵登禹、张自忠、戴安澜等一批抗日将领，八路军“狼牙山五壮士”、新四军“刘老庄连”、东北抗联八位女战士、国民党军“八百壮士”等众多英雄群体，就是中国人民不畏强暴、以身殉国的杰出代表。历史证明，敢于斗争、敢于胜利，是战胜一切艰难险阻、强敌恶敌的强大精神力量。新征程上，必须增强志气、骨气、底气，不信邪、不怕鬼、不怕压，依靠顽强斗争打开事业发展新天地。

The historical contributions of the China Theatre powerfully highlight the Chinese nation’s world-mindedness and spirit of sharing weal and woe. The Chinese nation has always believed in “all under heaven as one family” [23]23 “All under heaven as one family” is a Confucian ideal of universal harmony and brotherhood. and, in times of great disaster, advances hand in hand and stays together through life and death with brother countries and brother nations. In the World Anti-Fascist War, the historic contributions of the China Theatre are a vivid embodiment of the Chinese people’s courage to take responsibility and share weal and woe, leaving behind many touching historical moments. In April 1942, British troops were in crisis at Yenangyaung, Burma [24]24 The Battle of Yenangyaung (April 1942) saw Chinese forces rescue trapped British troops and civilians from Japanese encirclement. , and the main force of the New 38th Division of the 66th Army of the Chinese Expeditionary Force was ordered to reinforce them, fought fiercely with the Japanese, and rescued more than 7,000 British troops and more than 500 captured British and American missionaries and journalists; in August 1944, New Fourth Army units and militia civilians near Jianyang County (now Jianhu County), Jiangsu Province, rescued five U.S. pilots, including Lieutenant Colonel Savoy [25]25 Lieutenant Colonel J. D. Savoy (full name uncertain) was a U.S. Army Air Forces pilot rescued by Chinese Communist forces in 1944. , whose plane had crashed there while returning from a mission against Japan. History proves that the Chinese nation is a nation with great responsibility and the Chinese people are a people with great heart. On the new journey, we must uphold the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, vigorously promote the common values of all mankind, and contribute more Chinese strength to promoting world peace and development.

中国战场的历史贡献有力彰显了中华民族胸怀天下、同舟共济的世界情怀。中华民族历来讲求“天下一家”，在大灾大难面前与兄弟国家、兄弟民族携手而进、生死与共。世界反法西斯战争中，中国战场作出的彪炳史册的历史贡献，正是中国人民敢于负责、同舟共济的生动体现，留下了许多动人的历史瞬间。1942年4月，英军在缅甸仁安羌陷入危机，中国远征军第66军新编第38师主力奉命增援，与日军激战，将7000多名英军与被俘的500多名英美传教士和新闻记者等解救出来；1944年8月，新四军部队以及民兵群众在江苏建阳县（今建湖县）附近，营救了对日作战返航时坠落于此的萨沃埃中校等5名美军飞行员。历史证明，中华民族是有大担当的民族，中国人民是有大情怀的人民。新征程上，必须秉持人类命运共同体理念，大力弘扬全人类共同价值，为促进世界和平发展贡献更多中国力量。

The September 18 Incident was the starting point of the Chinese people’s War of Resistance and also lifted the curtain on the World Anti-Fascist War. The photo shows April 4, 2025: the commemoration event “Remembering Loyal Spirits on Qingming Festival, Passing on the Spirit of the War of Resistance — 2025 Qingming Festival Theme Activity” was held at the Broken Calendar Stele Square [26]26 The Broken Calendar Stele at the September 18 Incident Museum in Shenyang is a monument shaped like a calendar page showing the date of the incident. of the September 18 Incident History Museum in Shenyang, Liaoning Province. People’s Image, by Zou Xinjiang.

九一八事变是中国人民抗日战争的起点，同时揭开了世界反法西斯战争的序幕。图为2025年4月4日，“清明时节忆忠魂 抗战精神永传承——2025年清明节主题铭记活动”在辽宁沈阳“九·一八”历史博物馆残历碑广场举行。 人民图片 邹新江/摄

The historical contributions of the China Theatre solemnly declare the historical iron law that the Chinese nation, united, is invincible. For thousands of years, the value of unity has been deeply integrated into and profoundly influences the spiritual world of the Chinese people. When the Xi’an Incident [27]27 The Xi’an Incident (December 1936) was a mutiny by Kuomintang generals that forced Chiang Kai-shek to form a united front with the Communists against Japan. occurred, all forces, whether active or passive, ultimately put the nation’s greater good first, resolved the situation peacefully, and united against the external enemy, becoming the pivot for the transformation of the situation. In that bloody era, resisting aggression and saving the nation from extinction became the common will of all political parties, all ethnic groups, all classes, all strata, all organizations, and overseas Chinese. Under the banner of the Anti-Japanese National United Front [28]28 The Anti-Japanese National United Front (1937–1945) was a coalition between the Kuomintang and the Chinese Communist Party to resist Japanese aggression. , established on the basis of cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Chinese Communist Party, the whole nation threw itself into the torrent of resistance against the Japanese aggressors. Whether on the main battlefield or the battlefield behind enemy lines, thousands upon thousands of patriotic officers and soldiers fought bloody battles without fear of death, and people from all walks of life were united in heart and shared a common hatred against the enemy, composing a magnificent epic of resistance against foreign invasion with their lives and blood. History proves that unity is strength; only unity brings victory. On the new journey, we must rally more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and forge an irresistible and unshakable powerful joint force.

中国战场的历史贡献庄严宣告了中华民族团结一致、不可战胜的历史铁律。几千年来，团结统一的价值理念深深融入并深刻影响着中国人的精神世界。西安事变发生时，各方力量无论是主动的还是被动的，最终都能以民族大义为重，和平解决，一致对外，成为时局转换的枢纽。在那个血雨腥风的年代，抗击侵略、救亡图存成为中国各党派、各民族、各阶级、各阶层、各团体以及海外华侨华人的共同意志。在中国共产党倡导建立的以国共合作为基础的抗日民族统一战线旗帜下，全国人民义无反顾投身到抗击日本侵略者的洪流之中。无论是正面战场，还是敌后战场，千千万万爱国将士浴血奋战、视死如归，各界民众万众一心、同仇敌忾，用生命和鲜血谱写了一首感天动地的反抗外来侵略的壮丽史诗。历史证明，团结就是力量，团结才能胜利。新征程上，必须更加紧密地团结在以习近平同志为核心的党中央周围，凝聚起不可阻挡、不可撼动的强大合力。

III. The Victory of the Anti-Fascist War in the China Theatre Was Forged with Blood and Life, and We Must Unswervingly Defend the Hard-Won Fruits of Victory

三、中国战场反法西斯战争胜利是用鲜血和生命铸就的，必须坚定不移捍卫来之不易的胜利成果

General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed: “The most valuable inspiration left to us by the victory of the Chinese people’s War of Resistance and the World Anti-Fascist War is that we must unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development.” As the only major country that has enshrined peaceful development in its constitution and the ruling party’s charter, elevating it to a national will, China always draws wisdom and strength from history and firmly defends the hard-won fruits of victory.

习近平总书记强调：“中国人民抗日战争和世界反法西斯战争的胜利给我们留下的最宝贵的启示，就是必须毫不动摇走和平发展道路。”作为世界上唯一将和平发展写入宪法和执政党党章、上升为国家意志的大国，中国始终从历史中汲取智慧和力量，坚定捍卫来之不易的胜利成果。

Remember the outstanding contributions of the China Theatre and resolutely oppose erroneous acts that distort and smear China’s contributions to the War of Resistance. The China Theatre made outstanding contributions to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and erected an immortal monument to the cause of human peace. However, some forces, out of political self-interest or ideological bias, either portray China as a “passive victim” rather than an “active contributor”; or deliberately belittle the strategic position of the China Theatre, oversimplifying the victory of World War II as the contribution of the United States and Britain; or try to cover up the essence of Japanese aggression, downplaying the enormous pain Japan inflicted on the peoples of Asia-Pacific, and even put forward the “theory of Japan as victim,” whitewashing the history of aggression; and so on. The warp and weft of history weave the direction of the future; protecting the correct conclusions of the history of World War II is protecting the foundation of peaceful development. The outstanding contributions of the China Theatre are essentially an important historical cornerstone for the Asia-Pacific region and even for world peace. China will continue to oppose with a firm attitude erroneous acts that distort the history of the War of Resistance, and together with countries that love peace around the world, defend the indisputable historical truth and solidify the historical foundation of peaceful development.

铭记中国战场卓越功勋，坚决反对歪曲抹黑中国抗战贡献的错误行径。中国战场为世界反法西斯战争胜利作出了突出贡献，为人类和平事业铸就了不朽丰碑。然而，一些势力出于政治私利或意识形态偏见，或把中国描绘成“被动受害者”而不是“主动贡献者”；或刻意贬低中国战场的战略地位，将二战胜利简单归结为英美国家的贡献；或试图掩盖日本侵略本质，淡化日本对亚太各国造成的巨大伤痛，甚至抛出“日本受害论”，美化侵略历史；等等。历史的经纬编织着未来的走向，守护二战历史的正确结论就是守护和平发展的根基。中国战场的卓越功勋，本质上是亚太地区乃至世界和平的重要历史基石。中国将继续以坚定的态度反对歪曲抗战历史的错误行径，与世界上爱好和平的国家一道，捍卫不容置疑的历史真相，筑牢和平发展的历史根基。

Never allow militarism to stage a comeback, never allow historical tragedy to repeat itself. The essence of Japanese militarism was to expand territory, plunder resources, and dominate the world through aggressive wars. It had anti-human, anti-humanitarian, and anti-civilization characteristics, was extremely cruel and reactionary, and was the root of igniting the Asia-Pacific war and disrupting the Asia-Pacific order in modern and contemporary history. The Nanjing Massacre, the Changjiao Massacre [29]29 The Changjiao Massacre (May 1943) was a Japanese atrocity in Hunan Province that killed about 30,000 civilians. , the Sook Ching Massacre in Singapore [30]30 The Sook Ching Massacre (February–March 1942) was a Japanese systematic purge of Chinese in Singapore that killed tens of thousands. , the Bataan Death March [31]31 The Bataan Death March (April 1942) was the forced transfer of about 75,000 U.S. and Filipino prisoners by the Japanese, with many deaths. , the Manila Massacre [32]32 The Manila Massacre (February 1945) was the Japanese slaughter of about 100,000 civilians in Manila during the final stages of the war. , and the large-scale manufacture and use of biological and chemical weapons — these heinous atrocities have forever nailed Japanese militarism to the pillar of historical shame. However, because the postwar trial of Japanese militarism was incomplete, some war criminals escaped deserved punishment, and even soon reinvented themselves to hold important posts in the Japanese government. As a result, Japanese militarist ideology was not completely eradicated. No matter how the times change or how the Japanese right-wing forces clamor and perform, the Chinese people, together with all peace-loving countries and peoples in the world, will never allow Japanese militarism to resurrect and stage a comeback!

决不允许军国主义卷土重来，决不允许历史悲剧重演。日本军国主义的本质就是通过发动侵略战争扩张领土、掠夺资源、称霸世界，具有反人类、反人道、反文明的特征，极其残忍和反动，是近现代历史上燃起亚太战火、破坏亚太秩序的祸根。南京大屠杀、厂窖惨案、新加坡大屠杀、巴丹死亡行军、马尼拉大屠杀，还有大规模制造和使用细菌武器、化学武器等，这些惨绝人寰的暴行，永远将日本军国主义钉在历史的耻辱柱上。然而，由于战后对日本军国主义的审判不彻底，一些战争罪犯没有遭受应有惩罚，甚至不久又摇身一变，担任日本政府要职，致使日本军国主义思想没有得到彻底铲除。无论时代如何变化，无论日本右翼势力怎么叫嚣表演，包括中国人民在内的世界上所有爱好和平的国家和人民是决不会允许日本军国主义死灰复燃、卷土重来的！

Firmly defend the legal and factual basis that Taiwan is part of China, and never allow any person or any force to split Taiwan from China in any form. The return of Taiwan to China was an important part of the fruits of victory of World War II and the postwar international order. A series of documents with international legal force, such as the Cairo Declaration [33]33 The Cairo Declaration (1943) stated the Allied intention to return all territories Japan had stolen from China, including Taiwan. and the Potsdam Proclamation [34]34 The Potsdam Proclamation (July 1945) defined the terms for Japan’s surrender, including the restoration of Taiwan to China. , all affirmed China’s sovereignty over Taiwan. Their historical and legal facts are beyond doubt. However, in recent years, the “Taiwan independence” forces have been rampant, promoting “de-Sinicization” and “incremental Taiwan independence” on the island, deceiving the Taiwanese people, inciting animosity toward the mainland, and obstructing and undermining cross-strait exchanges, cooperation, and integrated development. Opposing “Taiwan independence” separatist activities and foreign interference is not only a just act of defending the fruits of victory of World War II and the postwar international order, but also the foundation and prerequisite for ensuring peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. We must adhere to the One-China principle and the 1992 Consensus [35]35 The 1992 Consensus is an agreement between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait that there is “one China,” with each side interpreting the term differently. , deepen cross-strait economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, promote the spiritual harmony of compatriots on both sides of the strait, and resolutely oppose “Taiwan independence” separatist activities. No matter how the situation on the island changes or how external forces make trouble, achieving the complete reunification of the motherland is the common aspiration of all Chinese sons and daughters at home and abroad; it is the trend of the times, the cause of righteousness, and the will of the people. No one can stop the wheel of history.

坚定捍卫台湾是中国一部分的法理和事实，绝不允许任何人任何势力以任何形式把台湾从中国分裂出去。台湾回归中国是二战胜利成果和战后国际秩序的重要组成部分。《开罗宣言》、《波茨坦公告》等一系列具有国际法效力的文件都确认了中国对台湾的主权，其历史和法理事实不容置疑。然而，近年来“台独”势力活动猖獗，在岛内推行“去中国化”、“渐进台独”，欺骗台湾民众，煽动仇视大陆，阻挠破坏两岸交流合作和融合发展。反对“台独”分裂和外来干涉，既是维护二战胜利成果和战后国际秩序的正义之举，也是确保台海和平稳定的基础和前提。我们要坚持一个中国原则和“九二共识”，深化两岸经济文化交流合作，促进两岸同胞心灵契合，坚决反对“台独”分裂活动。无论台湾岛内形势如何变化，无论外部势力如何捣乱，实现祖国完全统一，是海内外中华儿女的共同心愿，是大势所趋、大义所在、民心所向，历史的车轮谁都无法阻挡。

The eastern pillar stands firm in the midstream, the light of victory shines across all directions. From history and facts, we strengthen the correct understanding of the historical contributions of the Chinese people’s War of Resistance to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, maintain reverence and conscience, stand on the right side of history and the side of fairness and justice — this is the correct choice for creating the righteous way of the human world. As a heroic people’s army under the absolute leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, we must forever remember the major historical contributions of the main Eastern battlefield of the World Anti-Fascist War, thoroughly study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially Xi Jinping’s thinking on strengthening the military [36]36 Xi Jinping’s thinking on strengthening the military is a component of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, focusing on military reform and modernization. , vigorously promote the great spirit of the War of Resistance, steadfastly safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and forever be firm defenders of the cause of human peace!

东方砥柱立中流，胜利光芒耀八荒。从历史和事实中强化中国人民抗日战争对世界反法西斯战争胜利历史贡献的正确认识，心怀敬畏、心怀良知，站在历史正确一边、站在公平正义一边，这是共创人间正道的正确选择。作为中国共产党绝对领导下的英雄人民军队，必须永远铭记世界反法西斯战争东方主战场的重大历史贡献，深入学习贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想特别是习近平强军思想，大力弘扬伟大抗战精神，坚定维护国家主权、安全、发展利益，永做人类和平事业的坚定捍卫者！

Online Editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心