As China commemorated the 80th anniversary of its victory in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression this September, scholars are urging a seismic shift in how the world remembers WWII – one that fully recognizes the Chinese mainland's 14-year struggle and Africa's million-strong wartime contributions.
The Eastern Front: China's Unseen Sacrifice
Professor Liu Baocheng of the University of International Business and Economics revealed how China's resistance from 1931-1945 pinned down over 1.2 million Japanese troops. "This continental front prevented Axis expansion into the Pacific and Soviet territories," he noted, crediting China with shortening the Pacific War through immense sacrifice – 35 million casualties and infrastructure losses equivalent to 13 Singapores.
Africa's Bloodstream of Victory
University of Nairobi's Dr. Kenneth Ombongi highlighted Africa's dual role as both battleground and lifeline. Over a million African soldiers fought from Burma to the Middle East, while mineral resources fueled Allied factories. "They defended empires that denied them freedom," Ombongi observed, "yet returned home with revolutionary ideas of self-determination."
Breaking the Western-Centric Lens
Both experts attribute historical oversight to Cold War politics and fragmented archives. Dr. Ombongi cited Chinua Achebe: "Until lions have historians, hunts glorify hunters." They propose concrete solutions – joint research initiatives, museum collaborations, and multimedia storytelling – to reshape global education.
From Shared Memory to Shared Future
The scholars envision China-Africa cooperation rooted in wartime resilience. "This collective memory is a moral compass," Ombongi concluded, advocating for international relations built on dignity rather than dominance. As nations reassess 20th-century history, these forgotten chapters may hold keys to 21st-century multilateralism.
