摘要：An air echelon attends a parade in Beijing, capital of China, September 3, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
An air echelon attends a parade in Beijing, capital of China, September 3, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
By Wu Lei
On Wednesday, all eyes were on Beijing as global leaders attended China's grand commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
In his landmark address, President Xi Jinping emphasized the theme of the historic gathering: to remember history, honor the fallen, cherish peace, and shape the future – a message that resonated deeply amid rising international tensions, unilateralism, and the weakening of multilateral frameworks.
For the nations that bore the brunt of fascist aggression and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with China, the commemoration transcended borders and underscored a universal truth: Peace is not a passive inheritance, but an active choice, sustained through collective memory and unwavering resolve.
The chain of sacrifices
World War II (WWII) claimed millions of lives globally, leaving scars that still shape our collective consciousness. China, the main eastern front of this conflict, was a crucible of resilience. From 1931 to Japan's surrender in 1945, China waged a 14-year resistance that claimed over 35 million Chinese casualties.Cities like Nanjing and Shanghai, devastated by the Japanese, became symbols of unspeakable brutality, while the rural hinterlands responded with guerrilla warfare, crippling Japanese ambitions.
China's message was clear: The victory of 1945 was not China's alone, it was a triumph for humanity. It was won through the blood and sacrifice of soldiers and civilians across continents. The commemoration did not honor Chinese heroes alone, but all those who resisted tyranny.
By recalling this shared history, Beijing sent a unified message: The post-war international order, anchored in the United Nations, must be preserved. Born from the ruins of conflict, this order now faces unprecedented strain; yet the gathering affirmed that no nation, however powerful, should be allowed to undermine it through coercion or conquest. The attendees carried the weight of their nations' wartime trauma and their presence was a testament to the enduring bond forged in shared struggle.
Heroes who transcended borders
Before the commemorative meeting, Xi and other global leaders greeted six veteransover 90, who are living bridges to the time when the world stood on the brink. Honoring them was not mere nostalgia but a moral imperative. The medals they wore bore the weight of decades.
The immense sacrifice of those who fell during WWII was made to ensure a future free from the terror of war and guard human dignity. China's emphasis on "never again" resonates strongly with other nations that have endured occupation and loss. The presence of leaders from countries such as Cambodia, Laos, and Zimbabwe, all of which have experienced colonialism and conflict, highlighted that peace is not a privilege reserved for the powerful, but a right belonging to all.
Pigeons and balloons are released into the sky over Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, capital of China, September 3, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
The choice of our time
Peace is not passive; it must be actively defended, nurtured, and expanded. Xi reaffirmed China's commitment to peaceful development and called for a community with a shared future for humanity. This vision, often misunderstood in the West, is not about dominance but about mutual interdependence.
Today, many countries face common threats: climate change, economic slowdown, and protectionism. The commemoration was a reminder that no country can solve these challenges alone. The spirit of the anti-fascist alliance – unity in the face of existential threat – must be revived for the 21st century.
The gathering also underscored the importance of multilateral institutions. China called for strengthening the UN, upholding international law, and promoting an equal and orderly multipolar world where no single power dictates terms, and where sovereignty and dialogue prevail.
Charting the future
The most significant outcome of the Beijing commemoration was the forging of a shared consciousness. The leaders did not merely reflect on the past, they committed to building a future grounded in mutual respect and common security.
During the earlier Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in north Chinese port city Tianjin, which concluded on September 1, Xi announced the global governance Initiative, calling for greater joint efforts to improve the global governance system, reaffirming support for global development and climate action, and emphasizing that true peace depends on justice, equity, and opportunity for all.
History is not behind us, it lives within us. The scars of war must not be forgotten but must be transformed into wisdom. The path ahead is full of challenges, yet the lessons of WWII remind us that our greatest strength lies in its capacity for renewal.
Wu Lei is a current affairs commentator.
来源：中国网一点号