The Far-Reaching Significance of the Victory of the War of Resistance Against Japan from the Perspective of Civilizational History

The Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japan and the World Anti-Fascist War were a life-and-death struggle waged by the peace- and justice-loving countries and peoples of the world against the ferocious enemies of human civilization at a historical moment when Chinese civilization faced severe calamity and human civilization faced grave challenges. The Communist Party of China, in order to defend the achievements of Chinese civilization and save human civilization, led the Chinese people to compose a glorious chapter of civilization triumphing over barbarism.

中国人民抗日战争暨世界反法西斯战争是在中华文明面临严重劫难、人类文明面临严峻挑战的历史时刻，世界爱好和平与正义的国家和人民同人类文明的凶残敌人进行的一场殊死搏斗。中国共产党为捍卫中华文明成果、拯救人类文明，带领中国人民谱写了文明战胜野蛮的辉煌篇章。

It defended the achievements of Chinese civilization. The War of Resistance Against Japan was the first complete victory won by China in a defensive war in modern history. It halted the downward trend of the Chinese nation since the Opium War—"the country being humiliated, the people suffering, and civilization being tarnished"—and thoroughly ended the devastating destruction of Chinese civilization by Japanese imperialism, turning the page on a profoundly calamitous period in the history of Chinese civilization.

捍卫中华民族文明成果。抗日战争是近代史上中国赢得的第一次完全胜利的反侵略斗争，遏制了鸦片战争以来中华民族遭受的“国家蒙辱、人民蒙难、文明蒙尘”的沉沦势头，彻底终结了日本帝国主义对中华文明的毁灭性破坏，翻过了中华文明史上灾难深重的一页。

The living space of the Chinese nation was resolutely defended. Facing the barbaric invasion of Japanese imperialism, the Communist Party of China led the people to fight the powerful enemy with iron resolve, build a Great Wall with their flesh and blood, and go to the national calamity one after another, "defending the Yellow River, defending North China, and defending all of China." Through arduous struggle, the Chinese people achieved the goal of "not allowing Japanese imperialism to occupy a single inch of Chinese territory," enabling the return to the motherland of territories seized by Japan, including Taiwan, once again proving that the Chinese nation is a great nation that fears not brutality and stands on its own.

中华民族的生存空间得以坚决捍卫。面对日本帝国主义的野蛮入侵，中国共产党带领人民以铮铮铁骨战强敌、以血肉之躯筑长城、以前仆后继赴国难，“保卫黄河、保卫华北、保卫全中国”。经过艰苦抗争，中国人民实现了“不让日本帝国主义占领中国寸土”的目标，使包括台湾在内被日本割占的领土回归祖国，再次证明中华民族是不畏强暴、自立自强的伟大民族。

The memory carriers of Chinese civilization were fairly well protected. Cultural relics and remains are memory carriers of Chinese civilization and a precious accumulation of the achievements of the Chinese nation's civilization over more than 5,000 years. Protecting the national cultural heritage was an important task of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japan and the World Anti-Fascist War. After the Japanese imperialists launched the September 18th Incident in 1931 [1]1 The September 18th Incident: On September 18, 1931, the Japanese Kwantung Army staged a staged explosion on a railway near Mukden (Shenyang) and blamed Chinese troops, using it as a pretext to launch a full-scale invasion of Northeast China., in order to prevent destruction and looting by the Japanese invaders, the Forbidden City shipped out approximately 13,000 crates of cultural relics in five batches between February and May 1933, moving them south from Beiping to Shanghai and Nanjing. After the July 7th Incident [2]2 The July 7th Incident (also known as the Marco Polo Bridge Incident): On July 7, 1937, a clash between Japanese and Chinese troops near the Marco Polo Bridge outside Beiping (Beijing) escalated into the full-scale outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War. broke out, they were further evacuated to the rear areas in the southwest amid the chaos of war, and were returned to Nanjing after the victory of the War of Resistance.

中华文明的记忆载体得以较好保护。文物遗存是中华文明的记忆载体，是中华民族5000多年文明成果的宝贵积淀，保护民族文化遗产是中国人民抗日战争暨世界反法西斯战争的一项重要任务。1931年日本帝国主义发动九一八事变后，为防止日寇劫毁，故宫五批约1.3万箱文物于1933年2月至5月运离北平，南迁至上海、南京，七七事变爆发后又在战乱中疏散到西南后方，在抗战胜利后回迁南京。

The victory of the War of Resistance Against Japan was a great victory of the national spirit with patriotism at its core. The great spirit of the War of Resistance nurtured in the magnificent process of the War of Resistance contains the patriotic sentiment of "everyone is responsible for the fate of the country," the national integrity of facing death unflinchingly and preferring death to surrender, the heroic mettle of defying brutality and fighting to the end, and the indomitable and unyielding faith in victory. During the War of Resistance, cultural and educational institutions such as Southwest Associated University and Northwest Associated University moved inland, composing a magnificent chapter of guarding the Chinese cultural vein amid the flames of the war of resistance.

抗日战争胜利是以爱国主义为核心的民族精神的伟大胜利，抗日战争的壮阔进程中孕育出的伟大抗战精神蕴含着“天下兴亡，匹夫有责”的爱国情怀，视死如归、宁死不屈的民族气节，不畏强暴、血战到底的英雄气概，百折不挠、坚忍不拔的必胜信念。抗战时期，西南联大、西北联大等文教机构辗转内迁，谱写了在抗日烽火硝烟中守护中华文脉的壮丽篇章。

It maintained the continuity of Chinese civilization and opened a new journey of rebirth through fire. The victory of the War of Resistance not only "defended the achievements of the Chinese nation's civilization developed over more than 5,000 years," but also committed to "building a new society and a new country for the Chinese nation," opening up bright prospects for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and embarking on a new journey of the ancient China's phoenix-like nirvana and rebirth through fire.

保持中华文明连续性并开启浴火重生新征程。抗日战争的胜利，不仅“捍卫了中华民族5000多年发展的文明成果”，而且致力于“建设一个中华民族的新社会和新国家”，开辟了中华民族伟大复兴的光明前景，开启了古老中国凤凰涅槃、浴火重生的新征程。

Chinese civilization has continued for more than 5,000 years, enduring vicissitudes and hardships, yet becoming the only great civilization in the world that has developed uninterrupted in the form of a nation-state. During the War of Resistance, the Chinese people sought survival through transformation and rejuvenation through innovation, enabling this ancient country to establish a new destiny amid the old state, transforming the Chinese nation from "an ancient nation with a long history and rich vicissitudes" into "a youthful nation that strives unceasingly and is full of vitality," and rekindling the vitality of this ancient civilization by endowing it with modern power.

中华文明5000多年生生不息，虽饱经沧桑磨难，却成为世界上唯一绵延不断且以国家形态发展至今的伟大文明。抗战期间，中华儿女以变革图生存、以创新求复兴，使中国这一古老国度在旧邦中立新命，使中华民族这一“历史悠久、饱经沧桑的古老民族”蜕变为“自强不息、朝气蓬勃的青春民族”，使中华文明这一古老文明因被赋予现代力量而重新焕发勃勃生机。

Tempered in the flames of the War of Resistance, "the masthead of the ship of New China had already emerged above the horizon." During the period of partial resistance, the Communist Party of China put forward the idea of establishing a "Soviet New China"; during the period of total resistance, it elaborated the idea of a "New Democratic New China." Mao Zedong, in his "On New Democracy," systematically expounded the Communist Party of China's conception of building a new-democratic New China. The Communist Party of China's proposal to transform old China and build a new China represented the correct direction of historical development, and thus quickly turned from blueprint into reality. The Communist Party of China united and led the people to establish New China on the basis of the victory of the War of Resistance. Socialist modernization established a "new destiny" in the "old state," realizing the organic unity of continuity and innovation in Chinese civilization.

在抗战烽火的淬炼中，“新中国航船的桅顶已经冒出地平线了”。中国共产党在局部抗战时期提出建立“苏维埃新中国”的主张，在全面抗战时期阐述了“新民主主义新中国”思想。毛泽东在《新民主主义论》中系统阐述了中国共产党关于建立新民主主义新中国的构想。中国共产党提出的改造旧中国、建设新中国的主张代表了历史发展的正确方向，因而很快从蓝图变成现实。中国共产党团结带领人民在抗战胜利的基础上建立了新中国，社会主义现代化建设是在“旧邦”中立“新命”，实现了中华文明连续性与创新性的有机统一。

Tempered in the flames of the War of Resistance, the Chinese nation moved from a nation-in-itself to a nation-for-itself. In modern times, the national crisis deepened continuously; in particular, the invasion of Japanese imperialism brought the Chinese nation to the verge of national subjugation and extinction. This national crisis ignited the awakening of the Chinese nation and the growth of the consciousness of the Chinese national community. In the article "The Chinese Revolution and the Chinese Communist Party" published in December 1939, Mao Zedong expounded the formation and history of the Chinese nation, emphasizing that "the various nationalities of the Chinese nation all oppose oppression by foreign nations," marking the establishment of the Communist Party of China's concept of a pluralistic and integrated Chinese nation and the name of the Chinese nation as a unified nationality.

在抗战烽火的淬炼中，中华民族从自在的民族走向自觉的民族。近代以来民族危机不断加深，尤其是日本帝国主义侵略使中华民族面临亡国灭种的危机，民族危机激发了中华民族的觉醒与中华民族共同体意识的成长。毛泽东在1939年12月发表的《中国革命和中国共产党》一文中阐述了中华民族的形成和历史，强调“中华民族的各族人民都反对外来民族的压迫”，标志着中国共产党多元一体的中华民族观念与中华民族这一国族名称的确立。

Tempered in the flames of the War of Resistance, the "orthodox tradition" of Chinese civilization was extended to sinicized Marxism. During the War of Resistance, in the course of resisting Japanese imperialist aggression and opposing colonial education, the spirit of self-reliance of the Chinese nation was promoted, and the autonomy of Chinese culture was enhanced. In October 1938, in his political report "On the New Stage" at the Sixth Plenary Session of the Sixth Central Committee of the Communist Party of China [3]3 The Sixth Plenary Session of the Sixth Central Committee of the Communist Party of China: Held in Yan'an from September to November 1938, this session affirmed Mao Zedong's leadership and promoted the sinicization of Marxism., Mao Zedong proposed "making Marxism concrete in China" and stressed that "from Confucius to Sun Yat-sen, we should sum them up and inherit this precious legacy." The Communist Party of China achieved the first historic leap in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context, forming Mao Zedong Thought as the first major theoretical achievement of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context. Yan'an became the mainstay in creating a new Chinese culture and building a new Chinese civilization during the War of Resistance. On June 10, 1941, the editorial of the Liberation Daily [4]4 Liberation Daily: The official newspaper of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, first published in Yan'an on May 16, 1941., entitled "Welcome Scientific and Artistic Talent," pointed out: "Yan'an serves as the mainstay not only politically but also culturally, becoming the active heart of the country's culture."

在抗战烽火的淬炼中，中华文明“道统”延至中国化马克思主义。抗战时期，在反对日本帝国主义侵略、抵制殖民化教育的历程中，中华民族的自力更生精神得以弘扬，中华文化的自主性得到增强。1938年10月，毛泽东在中国共产党六届六中全会所作《论新阶段》的政治报告中提出了“使马克思主义在中国具体化”，并强调“从孔夫子到孙中山，我们应当给以总结，承继这一份珍贵的遗产”。中国共产党实现了马克思主义中国化的第一次历史性飞跃，形成毛泽东思想这一马克思主义中国化的第一个重大理论成果。延安成为抗战时期创造中华民族新文化、建设中华民族新文明的中流砥柱。1941年6月10日，《解放日报》在题为《欢迎科学艺术人才》的社论中指出：“延安不但在政治上而且在文化上作中流砥柱，成为全国文化的活跃的心脏。”

It saved human civilization and promoted the transformation and upgrading of civilization forms. The Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japan had the great significance of saving human civilization and defending world peace, and was an important part of the World Anti-Fascist War. The victory of the War of Resistance will forever be inscribed in the annals of the Chinese nation for advancing the rejuvenation of Chinese civilization, and will also forever be engraved in the annals of the cause of human justice for promoting the progress of human civilization.

拯救人类文明并推动文明形态转换升级。中国人民抗日战争具有拯救人类文明、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。抗日战争的胜利因推进中华文明复兴将永远铭记在中华民族史册上，也将因推动人类文明进步而永远铭刻在人类正义事业史册上。

The Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japan and the World Anti-Fascist War saved human civilization. Fascism was a malignant tumor of human civilization, creating the greatest disaster of human society in the 20th century. Facing the catastrophe of the destruction of human civilization achievements and the challenge of the reversal of the course of human civilization, the Chinese people were the first to rise up, joining forces with the progressive forces of the world to fight the enemy together, thereby saving human civilization.

中国人民抗日战争暨世界反法西斯战争的胜利拯救了人类文明。法西斯主义是人类文明的毒瘤，制造了20世纪人类社会的最大灾难。面对人类文明成果损毁的浩劫，面对人类文明进程逆转的挑战，中国人民率先奋起，与世界进步力量联手抗敌，共同战胜了法西斯侵略者，从而挽救了人类文明。

The Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japan and the World Anti-Fascist War defended world peace. China became a major ally and victor of the world anti-fascist camp alongside the United States, the Soviet Union, and Britain, and as one of the "Big Four," on January 1, 1942, signed the Declaration by United Nations led by the United States, the Soviet Union, and Britain, promoted the formulation of the United Nations Charter and other basic norms of international relations, formed a new mechanism for maintaining international peace and security, and played an important role in safeguarding world peace. The Chinese people resolutely stand on the right side of history and on the side of human civilization progress, adhere to the path of peaceful development, and work with people of all countries to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

中国人民抗日战争暨世界反法西斯战争的胜利保卫了世界和平。中国成为与美国、苏联、英国并列的世界反法西斯阵营的主要盟国与主要战胜国，并作为“四强”之一于1942年1月1日与美国、苏联、英国领衔签署了《联合国家宣言》，推动制定了联合国宪章和其他国际关系基本准则，形成了维护国际和平与安全的新机制，为维护世界和平发挥了重要作用。中国人民坚定站在历史正确一边、站在人类文明进步一边，坚持走和平发展道路，与各国人民携手构建人类命运共同体。

The Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japan and the World Anti-Fascist War gave birth to a new form of civilization. The victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japan and the World Anti-Fascist War promoted the development of the national liberation movement in Asia, Africa, and Latin America and the development of the international communist movement, facilitated the spread of common values of all humanity such as peace and development, and had a lasting and profound impact on the course of human civilization. During the War of Resistance, based on profound reflection on Western-style modernization and Soviet-style modernization, the Communist Party of China put forward the theory of new democracy, designed a roadmap "from a new-democratic society to a future socialist society," achieved victory in the new-democratic revolution, and made preliminary explorations for embarking on the path of Chinese-path modernization and creating a new form of human civilization. The great practice of Chinese-path modernization creating a new form of human civilization shows that the Chinese people will once again make indelible contributions to safeguarding world peace and promoting the progress of human civilization.

中国人民抗日战争暨世界反法西斯战争孕育了文明新形态。中国人民抗日战争暨世界反法西斯战争的胜利，推动了亚洲、非洲、拉丁美洲民族解放运动的开展与国际共产主义运动的发展，促进了和平、发展等全人类共同价值的传播，对人类文明进程产生了持久而深远的影响。抗战时期，中国共产党基于对西方式现代化与苏联式现代化的深刻反省，提出了新民主主义理论，设计了“由新民主主义社会发展到将来的社会主义社会”的路线图，取得了新民主主义革命的胜利，为走出中国式现代化道路、创造人类文明新形态进行了初步的探索。中国式现代化创造人类文明新形态的伟大实践表明，中国人民必将为维护世界和平、推动人类文明进步再次作出不可磨灭的贡献。

(This article is a phased achievement of the National Social Science Fund major project "Research on the Narrative of National Rejuvenation in the History of the Communist Party of China" (24&ZD016))

（本文系国家社科基金重大项目“中共党史的民族复兴叙事研究”（24&ZD016）阶段性成果）

(The author is a professor at the School of Humanities and Communication, Zhejiang Gongshang University)

（作者系浙江工商大学人文与传播学院教授）

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