Commemorating victory against aggression upholds peace, justice: China Daily editorial

At the invitation of China, 26 foreign state and government leaders will attend China's V-Day military parade in Beijing on Sept 3, which marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War.

These foreign leaders' participation, along with many guests and friends from different countries, speaks volumes about the importance they attach to this meaningful event. Their attendance not only demonstrates the amicable ties their countries have established with China, but also points to their shared recognition of the contribution China made to the World Anti-Fascist War during its long fight against Japanese aggression.

By its very nature, the military parade will showcase the progress the People's Liberation Army has made in its modernization. But it is by no means a show of force for the sake of it. As Assistant Foreign Minister Hong Lei said at a news conference on Thursday, the parade is meant to demonstrate the strong will and capability of the country to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, not present a threat to any country.

China made a national sacrifice of over 35 million casualties in its fight against the majority troops of Japanese militarism. During 14 years of fierce anti-fascist fighting, China engaged and tied down over two-thirds of the Japanese army, inflicting 70 percent of Japan's wartime military casualties. These efforts significantly contributed to the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War.

What makes the Chinese people and the people of other countries that suffered from Japanese aggression feel uneasy today is the Japanese government's reaction to China's commemorative activities. Instead of facing up to that part of history and showing repentance for what the Japanese aggressors did to the Chinese people and people in the countries they invaded, the Japanese government has sought to persuade foreign leaders not to participate in relevant activities.

China has lodged a representation with Japan over the matter and asked Japan to clarify its actions. However, the Japanese government has remained mute in response to China's request. Any prevarication over the matter, which is a fundamental issue of right and wrong, will expose the fact that Japan is still to establish the right attitude toward that part of its past. Japan will never be able to develop trustworthy ties with its neighbors unless it shows real repentance over its brutal aggression.

The attitude toward the commemorative events has also proved to be a litmus test on the historical outlook and the one-China principle for the Democratic Progressive Party authorities of Taiwan. The DPP authorities have prohibited officials from participating in the events and intimidated and obstructed compatriots on the Chinese island from taking part in the commemorative activities. They have distorted that part of history and denied the pivotal role of the forces led by the Communist Party of China in the war against Japanese aggression.

Taiwan compatriots' participation in the commemorative activities in the Chinese mainland is of unique significance to setting the record straight on that part of history, at a time when the secessionist authorities are trying to distort and even erase the authentic history of the war against Japanese aggression and even glorifying the colonial rule of the Japanese. The victory in the war against Japanese aggression resulted in Taiwan's return to the motherland from Japanese occupation. The successful resistance against Japanese aggression is a shared historical memory of the Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

The commemorations should serve as a reminder that compatriots across the Strait are one family with a shared history.

The commemorative activities will also demonstrate that the war against Japanese aggression and the struggle against fascism should be remembered in order to defend world peace. What the Chinese people achieved in the war against Japanese aggression was a significant contribution to victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and world peace. Those trying to distort what China is doing to misportray the country as aggressive are calling white black.

China is committed to pursuing its national rejuvenation through peaceful socialist modernization. Its national defense policies and practices are all defensive and designed to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and core interests. The country has also put forward the Global Security Initiative, which provides a road map for realizing common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable global security, addressing the trust and security deficits amid the moil and roil plaguing the world today.

Sept 3 should be an opportunity to unite all countries and regions to draw lessons from history and work together to protect peace and justice in the world today. Any ulterior moves to take advantage of the occasion to divide the international community should be condemned by all peace-loving nations.