Lessons of history inspire peace commitment

Against the backdrop of rising global tensions and resurgent nationalism, it is more crucial than ever to reflect on the lessons of history and strengthen our collective commitment to peace.

A recent China Daily survey of young people from China and abroad reveals not only how this generation perceives history, but also their strong willingness to contribute to a more peaceful world — an encouraging sign amid today's fragmented international landscape.

The overwhelming response reflects a growing global youth consciousness eager to transcend geopolitical divides through historical awareness and mutual understanding.

Over 30 percent of overseas respondents said they were unaware that World War II is also known as the World Anti-Fascist War. At the same time, an encouraging 87.4 percent agreed that remembering the history of WWII requires recognizing China's crucial role as the main Eastern battlefield.

This indicates that some international netizens' understanding of WWII remains superficial, and the persistent "Western-centric" narrative continues to shape perceptions of the war.

Such historical asymmetry must be addressed through education, international dialogue, and inclusive memorialization. Bridging this cognitive gap is not merely an academic task — it is an act of respect for those who defended justice with their lives, and a necessary step toward building a more complete and shared historical memory.

There is strong consensus (99.78 percent) that China's role as a founding member of the United Nations and first signatory of the UN Charter was a rightful recognition of its wartime contributions. This historical legitimacy underpins China's present-day identity as a responsible power committed to peace.

Today, as regional conflicts flare, China's commemorations — including military parades — are not displays of force but declarations of its resolve to cherish and defend peace.

An overwhelming 99.23 percent view China's peaceful development path as a major contribution to global stability, reflecting the growing moral appeal of this stance among the young — the very generation whose recognition will shape tomorrow's international order.

The youth also express a clear desire for more inclusive historical storytelling. A large majority (98.36 percent) believe China should more actively share accounts of wartime cooperation with allies, such as the Flying Tigers and the Hump airlift. These stories serve as powerful reminders that the Allied victory was built on cooperation rather than confrontation. They can help break silences in global discourse, challenge oversimplified narratives, and promote genuine mutual understanding across political divides.

Ultimately, the survey calls for action. Young people see themselves not only as learners of history, but as advocates and defenders of peace. They are eager to participate in international commemorative activities (97.82 percent) and to engage with global institutions like the UN.

By respecting historical truth (90.16 percent), learning historical knowledge (85.25 percent), advocating for world peace (87.70 percent), and strengthening cultural exchanges (80.33 percent), they are ready to turn conviction into practice — refusing to let the past be distorted or forgotten.

The true lesson of history is that peace must be built by each generation. As torchbearers of memory and architects of the future, young people across the world must join hands to transform the hard lessons of the past into a shared force for justice, understanding, and lasting peace.

Their voice is not just meaningful — it is essential. Through courage and conscience, they can help prevent the return of an era defined by division and war.

Written by Zhu Ye, professor and PhD supervisor at the Institute of Language Sciences, Shanghai International Studies University, and deputy dean of the China Center for Language Planning and Policy Studies, State Language Commission of China. His research interests include language education and policy, foreign language education, and technology-enhanced language teaching and learning. He hosted the Belt and Road English Language Education Column for the 21st Century Language Journal from 2020 to 2024.