grand gathering was held at Tian’anmen Square at the heart of China’s capital Beijing, marking the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
Japan surrendered on September 2, 1945 when it signed the Instrument of Surrender to China and other Allied powers, a signal that China had achieved victory after 14 years of struggle and resistance since September 18, 1931 when Japan invaded Shenyang, Liaoning Province. China was the first to fight against fascist aggression and sustained the longest resistance. For the precious victory, China paid a tremendous cost of 35 million military and civilian casualties, accounting for one-third of total casualties suffered by all countries in World War II.
The whole country celebrated victory one day after Japan’s surrender. In 2014, China designated September 3 as Victory Day of its War of Resistance.
On September 3, 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), reviewed troops in a Victory Day parade for the 70th anniversary of victory, the first non-National Day parade held at Tian’anmen Square.
In his speech at the latest parade, Xi called on all countries and nations across the world to “treat each other as equals, coexist in peace and support each other.”
Only in this way, he said, “can we uphold common security, eradicate the root cause of war, and prevent the recurrence of historical tragedies.”
“We will remain committed to the path of peaceful development, and join hands with all peoples around the world in building a community with a shared future for humanity,” Xi stressed in his speech.
Altogether 45 formations and echelons marched during the parade. More than 10,000 military personnel, along with over 100 aircraft and hundreds of ground armaments, were arranged into formations. The People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) new system of services and arms was put on display for the first time, according to Xinhua News Agency.
China’s Army now accounts for less than 50 percent of total active-duty personnel, non-combat units have been cut by nearly half and the officer corps has been reduced by 30 percent to streamline the military and improve combat capabilities, according to China’s Ministry of National Defense.
More than 20 foreign leaders attended the ceremony and watched the parade. Representatives of people who had assisted China’s WWII efforts or their family members from countries such as Russia, the US, the United Kingdom, France and Canada were also invited to the ceremony.
China’s Assistant Foreign Minister Hong Lei said at a press conference on August 28 that China’s War of Resistance is an important part of the World Anti-Fascist War and that China had received extensive support from the international community.
“Victory in the War of Resistance is a victory for the Chinese people. It is also a victory for the people of the world,” he said, stressing that China held the parade to show its firm determination to pursue the path of peaceful development, its strong will to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and its great capability to safeguard world peace and tranquility.
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