🎬 Since July, war buffs and history lovers have been diving into new screenings of Chinese WWII films, while museums across the country 🏛️ showcase rare artifacts from the frontlines. On September 3, China will mark its 80th Victory Day, commemorating Japan’s surrender on September 2, 1945.
🌏 Why it matters: China was the first to stand against fascist aggression back in the September 18th Incident of 1931—years before the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939. Then in 1937, the Lugou Bridge clash near Beijing ignited China’s all-out resistance, establishing it as the main Eastern theater of World War II.
🕊️ This Asian front wasn’t a sideshow. As Robert Frank, secretary general of the International Congress of Historical Sciences, pointed out, "The war began here, in Asia," challenging the Eurocentric view of WWII’s start.
📊 The human cost? Over 35 million Chinese military and civilian lives lost—plus massive economic damage topping $600 billion in 1937 values. These sacrifices shaped not only modern China but also the global fight for justice and peace.
✨ As we reflect on this 80-year milestone, it’s a reminder that global history is interconnected. From Asian battlefields to European fronts, the fight against fascism united people across borders. Here’s to honoring the past and forging a peaceful future! 🎗️
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
