International Symposium Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War Held in Beijing

Chinese Social Sciences Net report (Reporter Sun Meijuan) — On September 2, the "International Academic Seminar Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War," jointly organized by the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), and the Academy of Military Sciences of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), was held in Beijing. Qu Qingshan, President of the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee; Gao Xiang, President of CASS; and General Ling Huanxin, Political Commissar of the Academy of Military Sciences, attended the meeting and delivered keynote speeches. Zhao Rui, Vice President of CASS, presided over the opening ceremony.

Qu Qingshan pointed out that the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was a great victory in which the Communist Party of China (CPC) played the role of the mainstay ^[1]. This is a major historical conclusion and a correct summary of the 14-year history ^[2] of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression; it is an unassailable great truth that profoundly reveals the key to the victory. The CPC was the earliest propagandist, mobilizer, organizer, and combatant in the Chinese people's resistance against Japanese militarist aggression. The CPC was the advocate, organizer, consolidator, and defender of the Chinese United Front Against Japanese Aggression ^[3], serving as the strong political leadership core for the entire nation's resistance. By implementing the "total resistance" line and proposing the general strategic guideline of protracted war, the CPC was the proposer, guide, leader, and practitioner of the correct strategies and tactics for the War of Resistance. The vast Rear-area Battlefields ^[4] opened by the CPC gradually rose to become the main theater of the war, and the people's anti-Japanese armed forces led by the CPC played a decisive role in securing victory. The great spirit of resistance forged by the CPC in uniting and leading the people provided a powerful spiritual support for victory. In commemorating this victory, the most fundamental point is to remember that the CPC's role as the mainstay was the key to success. History teaches us that the leadership of the CPC is the foundation and lifeblood of the Party and the country, and the source of the interests and destiny of the people of all ethnic groups.

Gao Xiang noted that the victory was a great triumph achieved by the Chinese people fighting side-by-side with the Anti-Fascist Allied Powers and people worldwide. It opened bright prospects for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and promoted long-term world peace and common development. Looking back, China was the first to expose the aggressive nature of fascism, raising the first banner of justice for the World Anti-Fascist War at a tremendous national sacrifice. China opened and sustained the main Eastern theater of the global war, becoming the Eastern pillar in the overall strategic situation of the World Anti-Fascist Alliance. China actively promoted the establishment of the International Anti-Fascist United Front, rallying global forces of justice to resist aggression. From the outset, the war was of great significance for saving human civilization and defending world peace. It was an essential component of the global struggle, making an indelible contribution to shattering fascist schemes for global hegemony. Meanwhile, China began participating in the reconstruction of the international order during the war, committing itself to maintaining peace and promoting development. Faced with today's emerging global challenges, Gao proposed three initiatives to the international academic community: uphold justice and jointly interpret a correct view of WWII history; march forward together to maintain the postwar international order; and pool strength to deepen the theoretical support for a community with a shared future for humanity.

Ling Huanxin pointed out that the imperatives "justice will prevail, peace will prevail, and the people will prevail" ^[5] are the great truths revealed by the victory. These truths vividly illustrate the historical necessity that "a cause of justice is impregnable to any enemy," demonstrate the historical initiative of "peace through struggle results in peace, while peace through compromise results in the loss of peace," and scientifically reveal the winning logic that "it is the people, not one or two new types of weapons, who decide the outcome of a war." To commemorate this victory, we must promote a correct historical view of WWII, hold a clear-cut stand against the Cold War mentality, bloc confrontation, and hegemonic acts, and defend historical justice. Summarizing the experience of the victory, Ling identified the decisive factor as the great national spirit, the key as the strong political leadership of the CPC, the "magic weapon" ^[6] as the comprehensive national resistance, and the important condition as the International Anti-Fascist United Front. The essence is the "Three Victories." Taking history as a mirror to face the future, we must advance with the progress of history. We must remain firm in our belief that justice, peace, and the people will always prevail, standing on the right side of history and human progress.

Speeches were also delivered by Li Wentang, Vice President of the Central Party School (National Academy of Governance); Dmitry Novikov, Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation; Zhang Shujun, President of the Chinese Society for Research on Figures of CPC History; George Katrougalos, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece; Zhang Hongzhi, President of the China Society for Research on CPC Documents; Ishida Takashi, researcher at Meiji Gakuin University; Major General Wang Peng of the PLA National Defense University; and Wang Jianlang, President of the Chinese Society for the Study of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

The theme of this conference was "Remember History, Commemorate the Martyrs, Cherish Peace, and Create the Future." Over 100 experts from the national party history system, social science theoretical circles, universities, and the military participated, along with over 30 scholars from more than 17 countries and regions, including Russia, the UK, France, Germany, the US, and Japan.