China has reaffirmed its commitment to assist the United States in locating the remains of missing U.S. military personnel from World War II-era conflicts on Chinese soil, the Ministry of National Defense announced this week. The pledge underscores ongoing humanitarian cooperation between the two nations despite broader geopolitical complexities.
During a virtual conference held on December 10, 2025, Chinese and U.S. military officials discussed archival collaboration and finalized a preliminary plan for joint recovery operations in 2026. These efforts focus on identifying remains linked to the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931–1945), a period when U.S. forces operated in the region.
“China will continue to provide assistance based on humanitarian principles and mutual respect,” the ministry stated, emphasizing the historical significance of resolving longstanding cases. Over 1,500 U.S. service members remain unaccounted for in China from WWII, according to U.S. Defense Department records.
This collaboration builds on decades of intermittent joint excavations and archival research, with recent advancements in DNA technology improving identification success rates. Analysts view the agreement as a stabilizing gesture amid fluctuating U.S.-China relations, particularly for business communities seeking predictable bilateral engagement.
For Asian diaspora communities and historians, the initiative preserves critical wartime heritage while offering closure to families. The ministry confirmed plans to declassify additional military archives to facilitate searches, with field operations resuming in spring 2026.
