Chinese public cheered by V-Day holiday

BEIJING - The setting of Sept. 3 as a Chinese national holiday to celebrate the anniversary of World War II victory has pleased the public.

The State Council on Wednesday announced the day off to "allow all people nationwide to participate in activities commemorating the 70th anniversary of China's victory in the War Against Japanese Aggression."

A military parade, receptions and a gala will be held in Beijing to mark the occasion. Events will also be staged in other parts in China.

The holiday shows the attention the government is giving to the anniversary and its determination to get the public involved in marking it, said Chen Hu, chief editor of World Military Affairs magazine.

Xu Lijiao, a bank clerk in east China's Jiangxi Province, said she has been planning to travel to Beijing on Sept. 3 to join the celebrations. "Now I can take this trip without having to ask for leave," Xu said.

Chen Cong, a resident of Nanjing, the Jiangsu Province city where 300,000 Chinese, including unarmed soldiers and civilians, were killed in an infamous massacre by Japanese troops in 1937, said he will use the holiday to take his child to visit the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall to mourn the victims and pay homage to war martyrs.

"The trauma inflicted by Japanese atrocities here will always be remembered by every Nanjing citizen," Chen said.

Many will simply stay at home on the day and watch the live broadcast of the parade and celebrations.

Following the announcement by the central government, local authorities in Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions said they are also considering designating Sept. 3 as a holiday.

"The holiday will allow the public to gain understanding of history and share the joy of victory in a more direct manner, forging national unity," said Ji Lianhai, a famous Chinese historian, on microblogging service Sina Weibo.

"The holiday and the commemorations will remind us to bear the country's past sufferings in mind, respect our martyrs and make unremitting efforts to make our country stronger," wrote Weibo user "Missyoongyong".

Victory in the War Against Japanese Aggression was a turning point for the Chinese nation, and it should also be remembered by people worldwide, said Wang Yukai, a professor with the Chinese Academy of Governance.

Some observers noted that the celebrations in China are also intended to remind the world of the country's contribution in WWII, which has long been undervalued by international society, especially Western countries.

As a main battlefield in Asia, China's contribution as it held back Japanese aggression at tremendous cost, including 35 million casualties, supported the war efforts of the Allies in Europe and the Pacific.

Japan formally surrendered on Sept. 2, 1945, and China celebrated its victory the following day. September 3 was declared Victory Day.