Editorial Board of *Qiushi* Magazine: Gathering a Mighty Strength to Remember History and Remain Committed to National Rejuvenation
Eighty years ago, after fourteen years of unyielding and bloody struggle, the Chinese people defeated the atrocious Japanese militarist aggressors and achieved a great victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, proclaiming the complete victory of the World Anti-Fascist War! This great victory washed away the national humiliation of repeated defeats in China's resistance against foreign aggression in modern times. It became the historical turning point where the Chinese nation moved from profound calamity toward great rejuvenation, embarking on a new journey of "the phoenix nirvana" [1] and rebirth through fire for ancient China.
Only by remembering history can we better create the future. Since the 18th Party Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has attached great importance to the commemoration, research, and promotion of the War of Resistance. Through national legislation, they established the Victory Day of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and a National Memorial Day, issued commemorative medals for the war's victory, and enriched museums and memorial halls themed on the War of Resistance. General Secretary Xi Jinping has attended relevant meetings and activities at many important historical junctures to look back at the magnificent and soul-stirring course of the war and has delivered a series of important expositions concerning the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The article "Carry Forward the Great Spirit of the War of Resistance and March Courageously Toward the Glorious Shore of the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation" is a collection of excerpts from the General Secretary’s important discourses between July 2014 and May 2025. It profoundly clarifies major issues such as why the Chinese people were able to win the war, what major contributions they made to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, and how to carry forward the great spirit of resistance to realize the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation. It possesses strong political, ideological, and guiding significance and is highly relevant to current realities. On September 3, a grand rally commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War will be held at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, where General Secretary Xi Jinping will review the troops and deliver an important speech. We must deeply study and grasp the spirit of the General Secretary’s important speech and this significant article, remember the great victory, carry forward the spirit of the War of Resistance, work with one heart and mind, struggle tenaciously, and continuously push forward the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation.
Deeply understanding that the CPC's role as the "pillar of strength" (Zhongliuzhu) was the key to the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression
The War of Resistance was a life-and-death decisive battle concerning the future and destiny of the country and the nation; it was also a touchstone testing all Chinese parties and political groups of that time. The Communist Party of China was the most steadfast in defending national independence, the most resolute in maintaining national interests, and the bravest in resisting foreign aggression. Throughout the fourteen years of the war, the CPC, with its political programs, firm will, and exemplary actions, sustained the hope of national salvation and led the correct direction for securing victory. General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out: "The CPC's role as the pillar of strength [2] was the key to the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression." This is a profound summary of the CPC's status and role during the war—an echoing and indisputable historical conclusion.
On the question of whether or not to resist the war, the CPC was the first to blow the trumpet for saving the nation from peril, taking up the mantle of the vanguard in armed resistance against the Japanese aggressors. After the Japanese military brazenly launched the September 18th Incident [3] in 1931, the CPC Central Committee and the Soviet government [4] issued more than ten consecutive documents exposing the evil aims of Japanese imperialism to turn China into its colony, calling for the organization of people's armed resistance. Even while facing heavy "encirclement and suppression" campaigns by Kuomintang (KMT) forces, the CPC still devoted great energy to leading the anti-Japanese struggle in Northeast China. In the August 1st Declaration [5] published in 1935, the slogan of "resisting Japan to save the nation" was loudly proposed. After the outbreak of the July 7th Incident [6], the CPC Central Committee immediately sent out a telegram stating: "Our only way out is for the whole nation to wage a war of resistance!" Facing the massive offensive of the Japanese army and the steady retreat of the KMT forces, the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army feared no hardship or danger, rose to the challenge, and went deep behind enemy lines to strike the Japanese aggressors, boosting the morale of the entire nation. After entering the "strategic stalemate" phase, the theater behind enemy lines gradually became the main battlefield for resisting Japanese aggression, and during the "strategic counter-offensive" phase, it became the frontline and strategic base for the comprehensive counter-attack to secure final victory. Historical facts prove that at the critical juncture of national peril, it was the CPC's correct propositions and heroic actions that led and promoted the rise and development of the nationwide War of Resistance.
On the question of who to rely on for the war, the CPC held high the banner of the Anti-Japanese National United Front, gathering the majestic strength of the entire nation. The War of Resistance was a war of national liberation concerning the life and death of the Chinese nation; it required a total mobilization of the whole people. Proceeding from national interests and the greater national cause, the CPC took the lead in proposing the establishment of the Anti-Japanese National United Front, exerted every effort to bring about the peaceful resolution of the Xi’an Incident [7], and finally achieved the establishment of the United Front. This realized a brand-new situation of the entire nation jointly resisting the enemy, something never seen in modern times. After entering the stalemate phase, facing the danger of division created by the diehards within the KMT, the CPC prioritized the overall situation, correctly handled the relationship between national contradictions and class contradictions, and did its utmost to maintain KMT-CPC cooperation and the United Front, fully organizing all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation to fight together. Historical facts prove that it was precisely because of the Anti-Japanese National United Front—advocated, established, and led by the CPC—that the awakening and unity of the Chinese nation reached unprecedented heights, coalescing into a surging torrent against foreign aggression and providing an inexhaustible source of strength for victory.
On the question of how to conduct the war, the CPC adhered to the line of "comprehensive war of resistance," proposing and implementing the general strategic policy of "protracted war" [8] and a whole set of strategies and tactics for "people's war," guiding the forward direction of China's resistance. The Chinese Communists, represented by Comrade Mao Zedong, scientifically foresaw that China’s resistance would pass through three stages: strategic defense, strategic stalemate, and strategic counter-offensive. They clearly pointed out that final victory would belong to China, providing important theoretical guidance for the correct conduct of the great struggle. The CPC elevated anti-Japanese guerrilla warfare to a strategic position and formulated a complete set of programs, principles, and policies for opening up battlefields behind enemy lines and conducting guerrilla warfare. They attached great importance to the status and role of the masses, explicitly proposing that "the army and the people are the foundation of victory," and introduced measures to fully mobilize and rely on the masses to conduct a people's war. They not only creatively employed various forms of armed struggle such as "sparrow warfare" [9], tunnel warfare, and landmine warfare, but also creatively carried out anti-Japanese struggles in political, economic, ideological, and cultural spheres, plunging the Japanese aggressors into the "vast ocean of a people's war." Historical facts prove that it was precisely because of the CPC's correct line, strategy, and tactics that we were able to use weakness to defeat strength, accumulate small victories into a grand one, and finally achieve the strategic goal of victory.
"Gazing at the urgent beacon fires of the Central Plains, the solitary pillar in the wild torrent remains in Yan'an." [10] During the War of Resistance, the CPC-led Eighth Route Army, New Fourth Army, and South China People's Anti-Japanese Guerrillas wiped out a total of more than 1.714 million Japanese and puppet troops, resisting 60% of the Japanese forces invading China and 95% of the puppet forces. By the end of the war, the anti-Japanese democratic base areas (the Liberated Areas) led by the CPC had grown to 19 regions, covering nearly 1 million square kilometers with a population of nearly 100 million. Through the harsh forging of blood and fire, life and death, the CPC increasingly won the trust and support of the Chinese people. It grew in strength and moved toward maturity, achieving unprecedented unity in ideology, politics, and organization. It became a strong and powerful Marxist party with over 1.2 million members and a broad mass base, capable of shoulder the heavy responsibility of leading the Chinese Revolution to victory. After the victory of the war, the CPC united and led the Chinese people to quickly achieve the thorough victory of the New Democratic Revolution, leading our once deeply suffering country to establish a New China where the people are masters of their own house, advancing socialist revolution and construction, carrying out reform and opening up and socialist modernization, and initiating the New Era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, achieving world-renowned successes. History profoundly demonstrates that without the Communist Party of China, there would be no New China and no great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. On the road ahead, we must unwaveringly persist in and strengthen the Party's overall leadership, resolutely uphold the Party Central Committee’s authority and centralized, unified leadership, and ensure the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups are united like "a solid piece of steel" under the Party's banner, pushing the "Great Ship of Rejuvenation" to break through the waves and forge ahead.
Deeply understanding that the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression opened up the major Eastern theater of the World Anti-Fascist War
The ambition of the fascist aggressive alliance lay in conquering the world. Japan was the Eastern source of the fascist war of aggression; the Japanese fascist aggressors were the enemies of both the Chinese people and the people of the world. The fourteen years of arduous and long resistance were fought not only for the future and destiny of the Chinese nation but also for the cause of peace and the future of all humanity. General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out: "From the very beginning, the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was of great significance for saving human civilization and defending world peace," and "The great Chinese People's War of Resistance opened up the major Eastern theater of the World Anti-Fascist War, making a contribution that will shine forever in history toward saving the nation from peril, achieving national independence and people's liberation, and striving for the great cause of world peace." These important discourses profoundly reveal the status and role of China's resistance within the World Anti-Fascist War, providing a benchmark for correctly understanding its historical contribution and global significance.
China’s War of Resistance started the earliest, lasted the longest, resisted and eliminated the most Japanese troops, and paid the heaviest price, playing a decisive role in the complete destruction of the Japanese aggressors. After the September 18th Incident, while major Western countries practiced a policy of appeasement, the Chinese people rose up in resistance, unveiling the prelude to the World Anti-Fascist War. After the July 7th Incident, China entered the stage of a nationwide war of resistance, thereby opening the major Eastern theater of the World Anti-Fascist War. For ten years before the outbreak of the Pacific War in 1941, China was a "lone hero" fighting the Japanese aggressors single-handedly. During the period of Japanese strategic offensive and Chinese strategic defense, the total forces deployed by both sides reached over 4 million, and the Chinese population directly or indirectly involved in the war reached as many as 400 million. In this war, the Chinese theater wiped out more than 1.5 million Japanese troops, accounting for over 70% of the total casualties of the Japanese military in World War II. After Japan’s defeat, a total of over 1.28 million Japanese troops surrendered to China, accounting for over 50% of the total Japanese overseas forces at that time. To resist Japanese aggression, the Chinese nation made immense sacrifices. According to incomplete statistics, there were over 35 million Chinese military and civilian casualties. Calculated at 1937 values, the direct economic loss exceeded 100 billion USD, and indirect economic losses exceeded 500 billion USD. The powerful resistance and immense attrition of the Japanese invading army in the Chinese theater over many years accelerated the demise of Japanese fascism.
China actively promoted strategic cooperation among the World Anti-Fascist Allied powers and played an important role in establishing the international anti-fascist united front. The threat of German, Italian, and Japanese fascism was global; world cooperation was essential to defeating it. As early as March 1937, in a conversation with American journalist Agnes Smedley, Comrade Mao Zedong pointed out: "We advocate for China, Britain, the United States, France, and the Soviet Union to establish a Pacific united front." On New Year's Day 1942, led by these four nations, 26 countries signed the "Declaration by United Nations" in Washington, marking the formal establishment of the international anti-fascist united front. Two days later, the China Theater was officially established to unify the command of Allied forces in China as well as in Vietnam and Thailand. The establishment of this front was the cornerstone of victory; China not only first advocated for its creation but also worked arduously and tirelessly toward it, serving as one of the founding members and cornerstones of the World Anti-Fascist Alliance.
The Chinese theater supported and coordinated with Allied operations strategically, playing an important role in the victory of other theaters of the World Anti-Fascist War. The "Northern Expansion" and "Southern Expansion" were the established strategic intentions of Japanese fascism and were part of the Axis alliance's strategic coordination plans. However, the continuous and powerful resistance on the Chinese theater meant that the main force of the Japanese army and a portion of its sea and air power were "pinned down" in China. This thwarted the "Northern Expansion" plan against Siberia, allowing the Soviet Union to avoid a two-front war, and also restrained and delayed the "Southern Expansion" into Southeast Asia, greatly affecting the course and direction of the entire anti-fascist war. During the extremely difficult stalemate phase, the Chinese government resolutely sent elite troops to form the Expeditionary Force to fight alongside Allied forces against Japan. China also provided the Allies with airfields, harbors, large quantities of strategic materials, and military intelligence. China's protracted resistance not only won precious strategic preparation time for the Soviet Union, the US, and Britain, but also played an important role in ensuring the implementation of the Allies' "Europe First" grand strategy.
Reviewing the arduous and tortuous course of the War of Resistance, it is clearly visible that the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, as a vital component of the World Anti-Fascist War, made an indelible contribution to saving human civilization and defending world peace. Allied political figures who participated in the command of the war, such as British Prime Minister Churchill, Soviet Marshal Chuikov, and U.S. President Roosevelt, all offered objective and fair evaluations of the role and contribution of China's resistance. In the later stages of the war, China actively participated in the deliberation, planning, and creation of the United Nations, making major contributions to the formulation of the Charter of the United Nations and the establishment of the UN. China became a sponsoring nation, a founding member, and a permanent member of the Security Council; thus, China's international status as a major world power was re-established. All of this consists of ironclad facts.
However, for a long time, certain forces—driven by ideological bias or political self-interest—have deliberately downplayed China's status and role in the World Anti-Fascist War, attempting to shake the righteous foundations of the post-war international order by distorting historical narratives. Such behavior represents ignorance of and disregard for history, and is an act of irresponsibility toward the world and the shared future of humanity. On May 7 of this year, General Secretary Xi Jinping published a signed article in Rossiyskaya Gazeta, emphasizing the need to persist in a correct perspective on the history of World War II and resolutely maintain the post-war international order, demonstrating a clear stance on defending the fruits of the victory of World War II and international fairness and justice. We must inherit and carry forward a correct perspective on the history of WWII, use irrefutable historical evidence to clarify the major contributions made by the Chinese People's War of Resistance to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, and enhance the international community's understanding and recognition of our country's major contributions during the Second World War. We must never allow any scheme to succeed that distorts the historical truth of WWII or smears the historical achievements of China's War of Resistance. We must resolutely maintain the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law, while continuously promoting an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. We must resolutely implement the Party's overall strategy for resolving the Taiwan question in the New Era and unswervingly advance the great cause of national reunification.
Deeply understanding the historical revelation that we must unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development
The Second World War was an unprecedented catastrophe in human history, with total casualties worldwide exceeding 100 million. Peace was not easily won, and the lessons written in blood must not be forgotten. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The most precious revelation left to us by the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War is that we must unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development." Today, as we commemorate the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance and condemn the brutality of the aggressors, it is not to prolong hatred, but to use history as a mirror [11] to awaken the longing for and persistence in peace among people of all nations, to jointly cherish and maintain peace, and to allow the people of all countries to develop and progress together in peace and tranquility.
The Chinese nation is a peace-loving nation, and the Chinese people are a peace-loving people. In modern times, the Chinese nation suffered long-term aggression and bullying by Japan and other great powers, and possesses an unforgettable memory of the suffering brought by war. However, what the Chinese people learned from this was not the "logic of the robber" where the weak are prey to the strong [12], but rather a more resolute determination to maintain peace. China is the only major power in the world to have written peaceful development into its Constitution and the Party Constitution of the governing party, elevating it to the national will. It is the only country among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to pledge no-first-use of nuclear weapons. It is also the permanent member of the Security Council that dispatches the most peacekeepers and is the second-largest contributor to the UN regular budget and peacekeeping assessments. China plays an irreplaceable role in containing the escalation of local conflicts, alleviating humanitarian disasters, and avoiding the outbreak of a new world war, winning widespread praise from the international community. Our determination to follow the path of peaceful development is unswerving, but we can never give up our legitimate rights and interests, we can never sacrifice the country's core interests, and we will never allow the historical tragedy of being invaded, enslaved, and colonized after the Opium War to repeat itself. Faced with deliberate provocations that may occur in the future, and faced with any major risks and challenges that might delay or even interrupt the historical process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people have the resolve, confidence, and—more importantly—the means and ability to engage in a resolute struggle using "language that aggressors can understand," winning peace through victory and defending justice.
Peace is the greatest common expectation of people of all countries, as well as the greatest common interest and common cause of humanity; it requires the joint efforts of all parties to strive for and maintain it. Only when every country takes to heart the painful lessons of war and cherishes and maintains peace can there be hope for peace. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized, "China follows the path of peaceful development, and other countries should also follow the path of peaceful development. Only when all countries follow the path of peaceful development can they develop together and live in peace with one another." He further emphasized: "For the sake of peace, we must firmly establish the consciousness of a community with a shared future for humanity." Today, peace and development have become the themes of the times, yet the world is still not at peace. The peace deficit, development deficit, security deficit, and governance deficit continue to grow, while unilateralism and acts of hegemony, dominance, and bullying [13] cause profound harm. In certain countries, the ghost of militarism has not yet dissipated; some political forces consistently believe in the logic of the weak being prey to the strong and aggressive expansion, never having the word "peace" in their minds. The painful lessons of WWII provide a clear warning [14]; the world must never retreat into the "law of the jungle" where might makes right. Only by adhering to the global governance concept of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits; by persisting in dialogue rather than confrontation, partnership rather than alliance, and win-win results rather than zero-sum games; by practicing true multilateralism; and by promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, can we join hands to deal with global challenges and jointly promote world peace, stability, development, and prosperity.
Deeply understanding the requirements of the times to carry forward the great spirit of the War of Resistance and to struggle in unity for the building of a strong country and national rejuvenation
In the arduous War of Resistance, what was the invincible "spiritual code" of the Chinese people? General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that during the magnificent course of the War of Resistance, the Chinese people gave birth to the great spirit of the War of Resistance, demonstrating to the world a sense of patriotism where "the rise and fall of the nation is the responsibility of every individual" [15], a national integrity of facing death with equanimity and preferring death to surrender, a heroic spirit of defying brute force and fighting to the bitter end, and a conviction of victory characterized by perseverance and unyielding stamina. He emphasized that the great spirit of the War of Resistance is a precious spiritual wealth for the Chinese people, which will forever inspire them to overcome all difficulties and obstacles and strive for the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. In the 80 years since the victory of the War of Resistance, earth-shaking changes have taken place in China. An increasingly prosperous and strong China, a China full of vitality and hope, and a China that is amiable and respectable has already stood tall in the East. Today, as we advance on the new journey of building a strong country and national rejuvenation, and as we conduct a great struggle with many new historical features, we must vigorously carry forward the great spirit of the War of Resistance and continue to write new chapters of historical glory.
In carrying forward the great spirit of the War of Resistance, we must shoulder the missions and tasks of the New Era and the new journey. Saving the nation from subjugation and defeating the Japanese aggressors was the historical mission of that generation of Chinese people. Under the call and inspiration of the great spirit of the War of Resistance, our predecessors used their lives and blood to win national independence and liberation, laying an unshakable foundation for everything we have today. Looking at the present, comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization is the historical mission of our generation. Currently, we are only ten years away from basically realizing socialist modernization by 2035, and only a little over twenty years away from realizing the second centenary goal by the middle of this century. The responsibility is very heavy and the task is very arduous, requiring extremely hard work. We must inherit and carry forward the great spirit of the War of Resistance, strengthen our historical confidence, enhance our historical initiative, seize every minute [16], have the courage to take responsibility, anchor ourselves to our goals without relaxing, and advance forward regardless of the wind and rain.
In carrying forward the great spirit of the War of Resistance, we must overcome all difficulties and challenges on the road ahead. China's War of Resistance was a struggle with a vast disparity in national and military strength. However, faced with powerful aggressors, the Chinese military and civilians, with a strong will to overwhelm all enemies and never be cowed by them, launched a counterattack from the brink of despair, persisted to the end, and created the feat of war victory. Today, as we seek development and progress in a peaceful environment, the cause of the Party and the country is flourishing. However, the contradictions and issues before us remain very sharp, and the risks and challenges that need to be prevented and resolved remain severe. Internationally, the changes unseen in a century [17] are accelerating; in particular, some countries are unwilling to see China develop and become strong, using various methods to suppress, encircle, and contain us, leading to an increase in the complexity, severity, and uncertainty of the external environment. Domestically, the problems of unbalanced and uncoordinated development are still prominent, economic operations still face many risks, and high-quality development still faces many challenges. The more we climb hills and cross ridges, and the more we face difficulties and challenges, the more we must inherit and carry forward the great spirit of the War of Resistance, stimulating the firm conviction of the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups to move forward bravely and unyieldingly, facing difficulties head-on, working hard, and striving to overcome one difficulty after another and pass one dangerous pass after another.
In carrying forward the great spirit of the War of Resistance, we must gather the will and strength of all the people to struggle in unity. During the War of Resistance, in the face of a strong enemy and our own weakness, an unfavorable war situation, political instability, and shortages of materials—and in the face of various arguments such as "internal pacification before resisting external aggression" [18], "theory of national subjugation," "theory of quick victory," and "saving the country through a curved path" [19]—the Communist Party of China always held high the banner of resisting Japan and saving the nation. It clearly proclaimed the strategic policy of a protracted war and unified the will of the entire nation to resist the enemy and insults. The spirit of never surrendering and fighting to the end became the mainstream. Today, the Party's innovative theories have taken root in the hearts of the people, the common ideological foundation for the united struggle of the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups is increasingly consolidated, and the mainstream social ideology is high-spirited. At the same time, however, social thinking is more diverse, social values are more pluralistic, and social trends are turbulent. Some erroneous understandings strike at mainstream public opinion and values, affecting people's ideals, beliefs, and will to struggle. We must vigorously carry forward the great spirit of the War of Resistance, further consolidate the ideological consensus of all the people, gather wisdom and strength from all sides, and create a vivid situation where all Chinese sons and daughters think in one direction and channel their energy toward the same goal.
Remember history, cherish the memory of martyrs, treasure peace, and create the future. The great victory 80 years ago proved to the world that the Chinese nation has the spirit to fight the aggressors to the bitter end, the determination to recover what was lost on the basis of self-reliance, and the ability to stand independently among the nations of the world. On the New Era's new journey, with the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core and the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we have the strong determination, firm will, and robust national strength to overcome all risks and challenges on the road ahead. No country and no force can stop the historical pace of the Chinese nation in achieving its great rejuvenation!
Source: Qiushi, Issue No. 17, 2025 Web Editor: Tongxin