Kathmandu— People across China held commemorative activities on Thursday to mark the 81st anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The war, which lasted from 1931 to 1945, saw over 35 million Chinese casualties and marked China’s first complete victory against foreign aggression in modern times.

Symposium in Beijing

A symposium was held in Beijing to commemorate the anniversary. Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, attended the event. About 200 people participated, including veterans, relatives of wartime commanders, and international friends who contributed to China's victory.

Memorial Activities Across Regions

In Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, a series of activities were held at the Northeast China Revolutionary Martyrs' Memorial Hall. Representatives from various sectors paid silent tribute and visited an exhibition featuring wartime relics to learn about the spirit of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army (NAJUA). In Nanjing, people participated in poetry readings and historical reenactments at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders.

Private Museum Exhibits War Artifacts

In Shandong Province, a private museum in Pingyin County exhibits over 3,000 artifacts that bear witness to Japanese atrocities. Curator Han Guangyou has spent more than four decades collecting these items from across China. The museum receives over 20,000 visitors annually and collaborates with universities to catalog and research the collection.

Foreign Ministry's Stance

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun urged Japanese right-wing forces to adhere to peaceful development in response to Japan’s record-high defense budget request for fiscal year 2027. Guo emphasized that the right way forward for Japan is to fulfill international obligations and remove the influence of militarism.

(With inputs from Xinhua)

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Originally published on abcnews.com.np.