Remembering the Past and Marching Forward Continuously: From Commemorating the Victory of the Anti-Japanese Aggression War to Building a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity
Author: H.E. Zhou Limin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Kiribati
Chinese President Xi Jinping has stated, "History is the best textbook and also the best antidote to keep us sober-minded. Only by understanding history correctly can we better shape the future." As time flows on, we commemorate, with profound reverence and solemnity, the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. This is not merely a nostalgic look back at that magnificent chapter of history, it is also an endeavor to draw wisdom and strength from the past, to remember the extraordinary struggles of yesteryear, to honor the heroic deeds of the martyrs, to cherish the hard-won peace, and to work hand in hand to create a better future.
Eighty years ago, the iron hooves of Japanese militarism trampled recklessly across the land of China, committing atrocities such as burning, killing, looting, and rampaging, bringing immense calamity to the Chinese people. Over the arduous 14 years of the War of Resistance, China suffered more than 35 million military and civilian casualties, accounting for one-third of the total casualties in World War II. However, the brave and fearless Chinese people did not yield. All sons and daughters of the Chinese nation united in their hatred of the enemy and rallied together to defend the nation, building with their flesh and blood an ironclad bulwark to protect their motherland. Ultimately, they achieved a great victory in the War of Resistance, composing heroic odes of grandeur that resonated across mountains and rivers.
Throughout the history of World War II, in the decade preceding the outbreak of the Pacific War—a war familiar to the people of Kiribati—China shouldered almost the entire burden of resisting Japanese fascism. When the Pacific War erupted, a significant number of elite Japanese divisions were unable to redeploy southward, severely weakening Japan's ability to control the Pacific region. Had it not been for China, the Japanese forces might have turned their attention to Oceania and India much earlier, potentially rewriting history altogether. Therefore, the victory of China's War of Resistance not only marked a historic turning point in the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation but also made a historic contribution to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, forever etched in the splendid annals of the Chinese nation and the glorious chapter of humanity's pursuit of justice.
It is worth emphasizing that Taiwan, as an inalienable part of China, its recovery stands as a significant achievement resulting from the Chinese people's victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Following the victory, the Chinese government successfully recovered Taiwan in accordance with international legal documents such as the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation. This victory, achieved through the blood and sweat of all Chinese people, underscored the strong cohesion and centripetal force of the Chinese nation and constituted a vital component of the post-war international order. In 1971, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758, reaffirming the sovereignty of the People's Republic of China over Taiwan. Since then, the sole designation for the Taiwan region within the United Nations has been "Taiwan, Province of China."
Eight decades later, the once war-torn and devastated land of China now brims with vibrant vitality and dynamic energy. Under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), people of all ethnic groups across the nation have forged ahead with determination and perseverance, achieving two remarkable miracles: rapid economic growth and enduring social stability. From a impoverished and underdeveloped nation to the world's second-largest economy, from a backward agricultural society to the globe's top industrial power, and from a country struggling to meet basic subsistence needs to one that has comprehensively built a moderately prosperous society—China's development achievements have captivated global attention.
Today, over 1.4 billion Chinese people are confidently advancing along the path of Chinese-style modernization, striving courageously toward the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. Meanwhile, China stands as the only country in the world to enshrine its commitment to peaceful development in its Constitution, the sole nuclear power pledging no first use of nuclear weapons, and the top contributor of peacekeepers among the UN Security Council's permanent members to date.
In addressing numerous regional hot spots, China’s mediating efforts are frequently in evidence; within the narrative of global poverty reduction, China’s expertise and technologies leave an indelible mark; and throughout the journey of global climate governance, the wisdom of China’s ecological conservation solutions continues to shine brightly.
Though the smoke of World War II has long dissipated, the world remains mired in chaos. Today, changes in the world, times and history are accelerating at an unprecedented pace. Unilateralism, protectionism, and hegemony are running rampant; geopolitical conflicts persist, with local wars and unrest erupting repeatedly; global challenges such as climate change and food crises are becoming increasingly acute. Humanity once again stands at a crossroads, forced to choose between dialogue or confrontation, win-win cooperation or zero-sum rivalry.
Faced with these profound changes unseen in a century, we must stay true to our roots, draw strength from the spirit of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and fortify our resolve to safeguard peace and promote development.
We must never forget our shared journey and work hand in hand to safeguard world peace. In today’s interconnected world, where the destinies of all nations are intertwined, peace and development remain the defining themes of our era. History has taught us that any nation seeking hegemony, bullying the weak, or trampling on international fairness and justice will ultimately find itself mired in strategic overreach and public discontent. Likewise, any act of aggression, expansion through military force, or deliberate provocation of war is akin to playing with fire—such recklessness will inevitably backfire, bringing ruin upon itself.
These are not merely profound lessons etched in the blood-soaked pages of World War II; they are ironclad truths repeatedly validated by the practice of international relations. We must draw wisdom from the tragedies of the past, shoulder our collective responsibility to uphold peace, and pursue a path of peaceful development. By resolving differences and disputes through dialogue and consultation, we can jointly build, safeguard, and share peace, allowing its warmth to illuminate every corner of the world.
We must never forget our shared path and remain steadfast in upholding the postwar international order. Following the triumphant victory in World War II, China joined other victorious nations in establishing the United Nations and formulating its Charter, laying the cornerstone of the modern international order. This framework has provided vital safeguards for maintaining overall peace over the past eight decades.
However, eighty years later, the international system centered on the United Nations and the international order grounded in international law are facing grave challenges. Certain countries have pursued unilateralism, resorted to power politics and bullying, deliberately distorted history, and interfered in others’ internal affairs. Such acts constitute a brazen defiance of fairness and justice and must be firmly opposed.
We must safeguard the history of World War II written in blood, by adhering to facts and universal principles. We must consistently uphold the authority and stature of the United Nations, practice genuine multilateralism, respect the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of all nations, and reject all forms of hegemony and power politics.
We must never forget our shared journey and actively advance the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. Against the backdrop of globalization, the interests and destinies of all nations are deeply intertwined—no country can thrive in isolation. The Chinese vision of a community with a shared future for humanity aligns with the tides of history and the trends of our times, offering Chinese wisdom and solutions to address humanity’s common challenges.
Meanwhile, with the well-being of all humanity in mind, China has vigorously promoted the in-depth implementation of its Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, and Global Governance Initiative, injecting sustained momentum into efforts to forge a more just and equitable international order.
We stand ready to work hand in hand with all nations, offering mutual support and jointly building a community with a shared future for humanity. Together, we will ensure that the torch of peace endures from generation to generation, that the wellspring of development flows ceaselessly, and that the radiance of civilization shines eternally.
In the Kiribati language, the ocean signifies brothers. Despite the vast distance between China and Kiribati, the expansive Pacific Ocean connects us closely, nurturing a shared gene of peace-loving. Eighty years ago, Kiribati also suffered from Japanese fascist aggression during World War II and made tremendous sacrifices. Eight decades later, under the guidance of the heads of state of both countries, the peoples of China and Kiribati have been in the same boat to tide over challenges, engaging in pragmatic cooperation across various fields such as climate change response and sustainable development promotion, setting a benchmark for cooperation among Global South nations. Looking ahead, China and Kiribati, with their complementary strengths and interconnected interests, enjoy broad prospects and immense potential for cooperation. Let us take the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War as a new starting point, bear in mind the responsibilities and missions entrusted to us by history, and jointly write a new chapter of friendship and cooperation between our two countries on the journey of building a community with a shared future for humanity. On the path of promoting the reform and improvement of the global governance system, let us work together to create a brighter future for the destiny of humanity.