Commentator for the *Chinese Social Sciences Today* (CSST): Remembering History is for the Purpose of Better Opening up the Future
General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: "We must take history as a mirror, drawing wisdom and strength from the profound lessons of the Second World War and the great victory of the Anti-Fascist War; we must resolutely oppose all forms of hegemonism and power politics, and together create an even brighter future for humanity." In 2025, we mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. China is holding commemorative activities, including military parades, aimed at remembering history, honoring the martyrs, cherishing peace, and creating the future. This is not only a sign of respect for history but also reflects a significant responsibility toward the future. However, right-wing forces in Japan ignore historical truth, shirk their responsibilities to "whitewash" themselves, refuse to admit their guilt or show remorse, and have issued numerous erroneous statements that openly provoke international fairness and justice. These dangerous tendencies to deny the history of aggression must be met with high vigilance and severe condemnation. In this context, it is of vital significance to take history as a mirror, adhere to a correct historical outlook on World War II, and firmly defend international fairness and justice.
Adhering to a correct historical outlook on World War II is necessary for revering history and respecting historical truth. History is the best textbook and the best sobering agent. As the main theater of operations in the East, the Chinese battlefield occupied an irreplaceable and important position in the World Anti-Fascist War. The main Eastern theater was the one that started earliest, lasted longest, and exacted the greatest national sacrifice in the World Anti-Fascist War. In 1931, Japan deliberately instigated the September 18th Incident [1], posing a grave threat to the peace and stability of the Far East and the entire world. The Communist Party of China (CPC) took the lead in raising the banner of armed resistance against Japanese aggression, uniting and leading the Chinese people to open up the main Eastern theater of the World Anti-Fascist War. From 1931 to 1945, the Chinese people fought a bloody war for 14 years, effectively pinning down and combatting the main forces of the Japanese military, thereby winning precious time for the formation of the international anti-fascist united front and the victory of the Allied forces. During the War of Resistance, casualties among Chinese military and civilians exceeded 35 million, accounting for approximately one-third of total global casualties. Based on 1937 price levels, China's direct economic losses reached $100 billion, with indirect economic losses reaching $5000 billion. It is clear that China made a massive contribution to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. The powerful, protracted resistance and the enormous depletion of resources by the Chinese people against Japanese aggression accelerated the demise of Japanese militarism. The role of the CPC as the "mainstay" [2] was the key to the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. History proves that only by upholding the leadership of the CPC can we coalesce the majestic power for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. A correct historical outlook on World War II emphasizes the reverence of history and respect for historical facts, and it is increasingly becoming the consensus of the international community. Any behavior that advocates historical revisionism or historical nihilism [3], distorts or glorifies the history of aggression, refuses to reflect on the responsibility of the perpetrator, or openly attempts to "summon the soul" [4] of militarism, is a profanation of historical justice and will inevitably be strongly condemned by the international community. The Chinese people will stand with the peace-loving and justice-seeking peoples of all countries, standing on the right side of history and the side of fairness and justice, resolutely opposing acts that tamper with history to jointly defend historical truth.
Adhering to a correct historical outlook on World War II is necessary for maintaining historical justice and defending the fruits of peace. The victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression protected world peace and saved human civilization. During World War II, the fascist states of Germany, Italy, and Japan pursued extremist nationalism, racism, and expansionism, destroying world peace, violating public interest and justice, and trampling upon human civilization. China resolutely resisted fascist aggression and shouldered the important responsibility of maintaining world peace. Together with peace-loving countries and peoples throughout the world, China achieved a great victory in resisting armed aggression and saving human civilization. The victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression demonstrated the powerful strength of the Chinese nation in maintaining the cause of human justice and defending world peace. It gave birth to the Great Spirit of Resistance, showing the world the patriotic sentiment that "every man shares responsibility for the rise and fall of the world" [5], the national integrity of facing death with equanimity and preferring death to surrender, the heroic spirit of not fearing brutality and fighting to the bitter end, and the conviction of victory characterized by perseverance and unyielding resolve. This victory proved to the world that justice will ultimately prevail over evil and that peace is the eternal pursuit of human society. Today's world still faces various factors threatening peace and development; we must take history as a mirror and resolutely prevent any form of fascism or militarism from "returning in a different guise" [6].
Adhering to a correct historical outlook on World War II is necessary for maintaining the post-war international order and jointly creating a beautiful future for humanity. In the 80 years since the end of World War II, the United Nations has made outstanding contributions to maintaining international peace and security and promoting the progress of human civilization, establishing an international order based on international law. World War II was the tragic product of a world system dominated by hegemonism and power politics; eventually, nations across the world recognized that the old concepts of international relations must not be allowed to continue. Only if the countries of the world today uphold a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security, and resolve disputes between states through the peaceful means of dialogue and consultation, can the international community respond to the global challenges of peace and development. In the era of globalization, humanity is a community with a shared future that shares weal and woe. Regardless of how the international situation changes, we must firmly maintain the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. We must continuously promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, guarding the spirit of the UN Charter through collective action, and allowing the multilateral international order to play a greater role amidst the changes unseen in a century [7].
Only by not forgetting history can we face the future. Currently, the changes unseen in a century are accelerating, and multiple risks are intertwined and overlapping. Humanity once again stands at a crossroads between unity or division, dialogue or confrontation, and win-win or zero-sum games. To defend the fruits of civilization created by the people of all nations, we must adhere to a correct historical outlook on World War II, resolutely oppose all forms of hegemonism and power politics, firmly defend international fairness and justice, and join hands with all peace-loving and development-oriented countries and peoples to create an even better future for humanity.
Source: Chinese Social Sciences Net – Chinese Social Sciences Today, September 3, 2025. Online Editor: Tong Xin