Xiang Xianbiao: Commemorating Victory in Order to Secure Perpetual Victory [1]
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, and our country will hold solemn commemorative activities. Looking back at that great victory 80 years ago, achieved through 14 years of arduous and bitter struggle [1], countless sons and daughters of China stepped forward to meet the national crisis and shed their blood to defend our mountains and rivers. This victory not only thoroughly shattered the schemes of Japanese militarism to annex China, but also re-established China's status as a major power in the world and opened up bright prospects for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
To enter into history is to move toward the future; to commemorate victory is to ensure eternal victory. Our commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War is intended to remember history, honor the martyrs, carry forward the Great Spirit of Resistance Against Aggression [2], and derive from it the firm confidence and majestic strength to face the future and secure the great victory of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era.
"Looking toward the Central Plains, the flames of war rage; a pillar amidst the torrent stands firm in Yan'an." [3] The great victory of the War of Resistance demonstrated the role of the Communist Party of China (CPC) as the mainstay (中流砥柱, zhōngliú dǐzhù). This point was most concentratedly and clearly manifested throughout the 14 years of arduous resistance. Born and raised amidst internal strife and foreign aggression, the CPC has been the most steadfast in defending national independence, the most resolute in safeguarding national interests, and the most courageous in resisting foreign aggression. It was precisely because the CPC held high the great banner of the Anti-Japanese National United Front [4] that the great strength of the entire nation's resistance could be coalesced; it was because millions of Communists stood at the very forefront of the struggle against the enemy that the magnificent chapter of "men and women, old and young, joining the battle together, for people's war is that invincible force" could be written.
To manage China's affairs well, the key lies with the Party. Since the New Era, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has united and led the people of the whole country to overcome one seemingly insurmountable pass and obstacle after another, creating one "miracle in the human world" after another that has made the world sit up and take notice. This has promoted historic achievements and historic shifts in the cause of the Party and the state. To advance the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, we must always allow the Party to play its role as the mainstay, firmly uphold and continuously strengthen the Party's overall leadership, unswervingly listen to the Party and follow the Party, and push the cause of the Party and the state to continuously achieve new and great victories.
The ancients said: "The signs of victory or defeat are first seen in the spirit." [5] The War of Resistance was not only a contest of material strength but, more importantly, a competition of spirit and will. Under conditions where economic and military strength were extremely disparate, the Chinese people used their own flesh and blood to battle a powerful enemy, rushing to meet the national crisis one after another, composing a majestic epic that "startled the heavens and moved the spirits." This arduous and great struggle, which built a Great Wall out of flesh and blood, gave birth to the Great Spirit of Resistance Against Aggression. This spirit consists of the patriotic sentiment that "the rise and fall of the nation is the responsibility of every individual," the national integrity of facing death with equanimity and preferring death to surrender, the heroic mettle of fearing no violence and fighting to the bitter end, and the conviction of victory characterized by unyielding perseverance. Throughout the long years, this great victory and great spirit have inspired us to overcome difficulties and obstacles and move forward bravely. In the New Era and on the new journey, we must all the more remember the history of the martyrs' struggle, carry forward the Great Spirit of Resistance Against Aggression, unite as one, strive for self-improvement, and integrate individual ideals and pursuits into the cause of the Party and the state, striving to win even greater victory and glory.
China's War of Resistance opened the main eastern theater of the World Anti-Fascist War and made important contributions to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. The Chinese people, having experienced the suffering of war, understand all the more the preciousness and hard-won nature of peace. History can stimulate the power of emotion, but it can also provide rational reflection. Facing a changing and volatile international situation and arduous and heavy missions and tasks, we must unswervingly persist in and strengthen the Party's overall leadership, resolutely uphold the "Two Establishments" and resolutely achieve the "Two Upholds," and lead the great social revolution through the Party's self-revolution. We must keep in mind the historical lesson that "to be backward is to be attacked," and concentrate our energy on managing our own affairs well. We must strengthen the concept and awareness of national defense, building a solid barrier to protect peace like a "fortress of dynamic unity" (zhongzhi chengcheng). We must persist in taking the path of peaceful development and continuously contribute Chinese wisdom and Chinese strength to the development and progress of human civilization.
Back then, on the day of victory in the War of Resistance, the Liberation Daily (Jiefang Ribao) [6] published an article stating: "We have triumphed today! But we must never forget that the victory won was difficult; and to preserve the fruits of this victory—so they are not devoured by wolves—requires even more infinite determination and courage!" On the new journey, the Chinese people will surely use their own "infinite determination and courage" to defend and expand the hard-won fruits of victory, and win eternal victory through unremitting struggle, continuously pushing forward the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation.
Source: China Inspection and Control News (中国纪检监察报), August 28, 2025, Page 3. Web Editor: Tongxin