（来源：CGTN 2025-9-9）
Editor's Note: Gao Lei is an associate professor and research fellow at the Collaboration Centre for Theories and Practice of Open Economy, Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Opening-up, Research Institute of Globalization and China's Modernization, University of International Business & Economics. Xia Lu is a research fellow at the National Academy for Development and Strategy of Renmin University of China and deputy dean of the School of Marxism Studies at Xinjiang University. The article reflects the authors' opinions and not necessarily those of CGTN.
2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War.
Standing at this pivotal historical point, China's solemn commemorative event and President Xi Jinping's important speech not only pay profound tribute to martyrs and solemnly honor history but also signal China's transformation from a "forgotten ally"to a "trustworthy power," underscoring its commitment to peace, justice and global responsibility. This shift is both a response to history and a guide for the future.
From a 'forgotten ally' to core of the Eastern Theater: Reaffirming historical significance
Eighty years ago, China's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression served as the Eastern Main Theater of the global anti-fascist struggle. Over 14 years of relentless combat, China engaged over 70 percent of Japan's total ground forces, annihilating more than 1.55 million Japanese troops (accounting for 70 percent of total Japanese casualties in World War II) and making an indelible contribution to the Allied victory.
However, the Western-centrist narratives have long marginalized China's role, downgrading it to a "supporting actor" and ignoring its decisive impact on the war's trajectory. Had China not resisted, Japanese militarism might have achieved its ambitions of linking up with German fascism in the north or advancing into the Pacific in the south, fundamentally altering the course of World War II.
The commemorative event and Xi's speech reaffirm China's historical stature by emphasizing its role as the "Eastern Main Theater" and a "vital part of the global anti-fascist struggle." In his speech, Xi made it clear that the great victory of China's War of Resistance marked a historic turning point for the Chinese nation, lifting it from crisis to revival, and contributed monumentally to global peace.
This assertion not only restores historical truth but also challenges the Western-centrist hegemony, reaffirming China's wartime legacy.
From national salvation to guardian of peace: The contemporary legacy of the war spirit
The spirit of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression – embodied in patriotism ("every citizen bears responsibility for the nation's fate"), moral integrity ("preferring death over surrender"), heroic resolve ("defying tyranny to the end"), and unwavering confidence ("overcoming all obstacles") – served as China's spiritual pillar during the war and remains a driving force for national rejuvenation today.
Xi's speech links this spirit to modern challenges, stressing that it continues to inspire Chinese people to overcome obstacles and achieve national rejuvenation.
Amid external uncertainties (e.g., unilateralism, hegemony) and internal development goals (e.g., high-quality growth, livelihood improvements), the qualities of defiance and resilience embedded in the war spirit equip China to confront adversity.
From victim to peace-builder: China's evolving role
After the victory of the war, China transitioned from a "victim of aggression" to a "champion of global peace, development, and order."
Since its founding, the People's Republic of China (PRC) has never initiated a war or occupied an inch of foreign territory. In recent years, China has advanced initiatives like the Building a Community of Shared Future for humanity, Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) and Global Governance Initiative (GGI), significantly contributing to world peace and development.
In his speech, Xi reiterates China's stance that China will always stand on the right side of history and human progress, serving as a builder of world peace, contributor to global development, and upholder of international order.
This reflects both historical continuity (e.g., wartime peace advocacy) and future commitment – that China's rise seeks not hegemony but shared prosperity. For instance, China is the largest contributor of UN peacekeepers among permanent Security Council members, dispatching over 50,000 personnel deployed to more than 20 nations since 1990, embodying its role as a peace-builder.
From historical memory to future vision: The speech's contemporary significance
President Xi's speech transcends historical commemoration, offering guidance for today's turbulent world. Amid crises of peace, development, security and governance, humanity faces a crossroads of unity verses division, dialogue verses confrontation, and win-win verses zero-sum outcomes.
China's wartime experience has provided critical lessons: only through peaceful development, win-win cooperation and justice can global prosperity be achieved.
The series of proposals initiated by President Xi, including BRI, GCI and GGI, have distilled historical wisdom into actionable frameworks. For instance, the GDI prioritizes developing countries' needs to advance the UN's 2030 Agenda, while the GSI promotes a shared, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security vision, opposing unilateralism. These initiatives have garnered international support, offering "Chinese answers" to global challenges.
In short, Xi's speech serves as a "historical textbook," remembering past struggles and triumphs; a "declaration," affirming China's peace commitment; and a "call to action," inspiring national rejuvenation.
From a "forgotten ally" to a "trustworthy power," China's evolution reflects both its development and global recognition. Guided by the war spirit, China will continue to build a brighter future for the world.
