Filling Global Narrative Gaps in WWII History: An Interview with Ivona Lađevac, Deputy Director of the Institute of International Politics and Economics in Serbia

On August 28, the launch ceremony for the English edition of A New History of the Second World War (hereafter referred to as A New History of WWII), edited by the Institute of World History of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and published by the China Social Sciences Press, was held in Athens, Greece, alongside the international academic symposium "Rebirth from the Ashes: Civilizationand War." Foreign scholars in attendance generally expressed that this new work breaks through the long-standing limitations of "national history" and "Eurocentric history," filling the gap left by Western research on WWII which has consistently neglected the importance of China and the Eastern theater. By integrating multiple perspectives, the work constructs a more objective and comprehensive narrative of WWII. Our reporter interviewed one of the attendees, Ivona Ladjevac, Deputy Director of the Institute of International Politics and Economics in Serbia, to share her thoughts and experiences regarding the new book and the related academic discussions.

Chinese Social Sciences Today: You attended the launch of the English edition of A New History of WWII and the international symposium "Rebirth from the Ashes: Civilization and War." What inspirations or impressions did you gain from these events?

Ladjevac: This event demonstrated that WWII was not only a military conflict but also a rupture of civilization, exerting a profound impact on the global political order, cultural memory, and human values. In my view, this conference was like a history lesson on human resilience and rebirth, encouraging participants to view WWII as "living history" that shapes contemporary discussions on nationalism, global cooperation, and human rights. I found the insights of Chinese scholars particularly valuable, as the history of WWII—and especially the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression ^[1]—is deeply etched into the collective memory of the Chinese people.

Chinese Social Sciences Today: What do you consider to be the key differences and innovations of A New History of WWII compared to existing research, particularly mainstream Western works? What is its unique contribution to the global study of WWII history?

Ladjevac: There are several significant differences between A New History of WWII and mainstream Western research, and it makes an entirely new contribution. By utilizing primary historical sources in multiple languages—including Chinese, English, German, Japanese, French, and Russian—the book incorporates many discourses and archival materials that have been seldom used or undervalued in Western narratives, especially those from China and other non-Western theaters and actors.

For Europeans, WWII began on September 1, 1939, with the German invasion of Poland. A New History of WWII points out that WWII actually began with the September 18 Incident ^[2] in 1931. The Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression played a crucial role in the overall framework of the Global Anti-Fascist War. From the launch of the September 18 Incident and the occupation of Northeast China by Japan to the outbreak of the Lugou Bridge Incident ^[3] in 1937 and the launch of Japan's full-scale war of aggression against China, China endured 14 years of suffering and conducted a national war concerning survival, resistance, and liberation. The Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was the earliest starting and longest-lasting among all theaters of WWII; it was the primary Eastern theater and a key frontline for containing the reckless expansion of Japanese imperialism in Asia and beyond.

A New History of WWII emphasizes that the September 18 Incident of 1931 was the true starting point of the Global Anti-Fascist War in a meaningful sense. I believe this fact must be repeatedly stressed, which is particularly important at present—as many people currently attempt to falsify history. The Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression is not just a chapter in China’s national history; it does not only concern China or the East, but the entire world. The September 18 Incident was not an isolated event, but the first act of the Global Anti-Fascist War. On September 18, 1931, the Chinese people fired the first shot against fascism, a full eight years before the official outbreak of WWII in Europe. During these eight years, as the first major theater resisting the global expansion of fascism, China resisted the ambitions of Japanese imperialism with unparalleled tenacity.

Consequently, A New History of WWII fills a gap in the perception of WWII history for many English-speaking readers. To date, few single-volume historiographical works have so explicitly integrated the Chinese perspective into a history of WWII written for a global audience. This new work brings certain discourses of WWII history that are relatively common in Chinese academia into the international mainstream discourse, helping to balance the narrative of world history. By placing East Asia and China at the center rather than the periphery, the book changes the historical picture in the minds of many readers, enabling them to understand WWII from multiple fronts with greater equality.

Chinese Social Sciences Today: The English edition of A New History of WWII is already on sale in Greece and the United States, and publication and promotion plans for other language versions are in preparation. In your view, what is the significance of publishing this book in multiple languages in China and other regions for encouraging scholars and the general public to profoundly reflect on the lessons of WWII, safeguard world peace, and promote transnational exchange and cooperation to address challenges common to all humanity?

Ladjevac: The release of the Chinese and English editions of A New History of WWII has far-reaching significance for historical research, global cultural exchange, and the human pursuit of peace. The publication of the English edition reflects the entry of Chinese academic achievements into the global field of vision, breaking down the language barriers that have long constrained cross-regional and cross-cultural exchanges of historical perspectives. Readers accustomed to mainstream Western narratives are thereby provided with an alternative civilizational perspective, which in turn facilitates comparative reflection. This "mutual visibility" can make the global memory of WWII more balanced rather than homogenized.

A New History of WWII highlights human resilience, solidarity, and the capacity for "rebirth from the ashes" following a catastrophe. In today’s era of geopolitical tension, the book reminds people that humanity once transcended ideological, racial, and cultural differences to jointly resist aggression; this experience possesses enduring revelatory significance. Today's world faces new forms of conflict, division, and injustice. The history of the Chinese people resisting foreign aggression during WWII reminds us to always remember the power of unity, the necessity of international cooperation, and the eternal value of standing firm and unyielding in the face of aggression.