“This military parade is not only a tribute to history, but also a declaration of China’s firm commitment to peaceful development and its vast potential to safeguard world peace. Its purpose is to demonstrate that China stands as a guardian of global peace and stability.”
On September 3, the 80th anniversary commemoration of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War drew significant attention from international media. The word “peace” resonated frequently throughout global coverage of the event.
President Xi Jinping, in his keynote speech, reiterated the pledge to peace multiple times. He emphasized: “The Chinese people stand firmly on the right side of history and the progress of human civilization. We will remain committed to peaceful development and work hand in hand with peoples of all nations to build a community with a shared future for humanity. Chinese modernization is modernization through peaceful development. China will always be a force for peace, stability, and progress in the world.” These powerful words underscored the Chinese people’s unwavering determination to cherish, uphold, and safeguard peace.
World War II was one of the darkest chapters in human history. As the principal battlefield in the East, China—after 14 years of unyielding struggle—defeated Japanese militarism and made an indelible contribution to the final victory of the global anti-fascist war. Building on that victory, China, together with other major allies, participated in establishing the United Nations and drafting its Charter, laying the foundation for the modern international order, preserving postwar peace, and fostering global development.
Eighty years on, while the war is long over, its smoke has not fully lifted, and peace remains fragile. Some still refuse to acknowledge acts of aggression, attempting to erase or distort history. Others pursue hegemonism and unilateralism, undermining the UN-centered postwar order. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres lamented, “Peace is under assault from all directions.” How to prevent the recurrence of global catastrophe and secure lasting peace remains a pressing challenge for the international community.
History serves as a mirror. The greatest lesson from China’s war of resistance and the global anti-fascist struggle is the value of unwavering commitment to peaceful development. China has exemplified this path: since 1950, it has consistently upheld the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence; it is the only nuclear power to pledge no-first-use of nuclear weapons; and it has deployed over 50,000 peacekeepers to UN missions—more than any other permanent member of the Security Council.
At the September 3 parade, among the 45 formations, stood a contingent of UN peacekeepers wearing blue berets. Over the past 35 years, Chinese “blue helmets” have faced danger to uphold international security, from escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters to medical aid through the Peace Ark hospital ship. The People’s Liberation Army has become a vital force in safeguarding world peace.
Amid global transformations unseen in a century, President Xi has proposed the Global Security Initiative, advocating common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security. China has played an active mediating role, from brokering the historic reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, to facilitating the Beijing Declaration among Palestinian factions, and establishing international mechanisms for dialogue—working to provide stability in an unsettled world.
The Chinese people love peace, yet they know peace must be defended. History repeatedly shows that only with the strength to preserve peace can the scourge of war be averted. The parade’s display of modern weaponry—from new-generation tanks and strategic missiles to advanced drones and unmanned naval and aerial systems—left a deep impression worldwide. Global observers saw it as both a solemn tribute to martyrs and a strong message of China’s resolve to defend sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, and world peace.
The presence of 61 foreign leaders, dignitaries, and international representatives at the commemoration sent a clear signal: the commitment to justice is steadfast, the desire for peace is unstoppable, and the strength of the people is invincible.
As China advances its path of modernization with Chinese characteristics, it reaffirms a pledge: no matter how far it progresses, it will never seek hegemony or expansion, nor impose its own painful historical experiences on other nations. Together with peoples around the world, the Chinese people celebrate this great victory, safeguard the achievements of World War II, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity—striving for lasting global peace and prosperity.
China, bearing the “gene of peace,” upholding the belief that “peace is the most precious treasure,” and emphasizing peaceful development, will remain a cornerstone of global peace and progress.
Source: Swarna–Hashim–Lily, China Media Group