China marked the 80th anniversary of its victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression with a high-profile military parade in Beijing on September 3. Attended by over 20 heads of state and government, the event underscored China’s pivotal role as the Eastern main battlefield of World War II while paying tribute to millions who sacrificed their lives for global peace.
A Strategic Anchor in Global Conflict
From the 1931 September 18 Incident to Japan’s 1945 surrender, China endured 14 years of resistance – the longest and earliest campaign against fascist aggression. During this period, Chinese forces neutralized over 1.5 million Japanese troops, accounting for 70% of Japan’s total WWII casualties. Before the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, China’s theater absorbed up to 94% of Imperial Japan’s military strength, preventing Tokyo from linking with Nazi Germany in Central Asia or threatening Soviet and Pacific fronts.
The Cost of Victory
China’s staggering losses included 35 million military and civilian casualties, with direct economic losses exceeding $100 billion. Former U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt acknowledged that without China’s resilience, Japan could have redirected forces to dominate the Indian Ocean and Siberia, altering the war’s outcome. The conflict reshaped China’s national identity, ending a century of foreign subjugation and paving the way for modern sovereignty.
Legacy of Resilience
The parade’s display of military modernization served as both historical remembrance and a testament to China’s postwar transformation. Analysts note the commemoration reinforces China’s narrative as a key architect of the Allied victory while highlighting its current role in maintaining global stability.
