The signed article titled "Honoring History, Cherishing Peace, and Creating a Brighter Future for Humanity" by Ambassador Wang Lutong is published in Jakarta Post. The full text is as follows:
On 3 September 2025, 26 foreign heads of state and government, and heads of international organizations gathered in Beijing to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. President Xi Jinping, President Prabowo Subianto and other leaders attended the grand gathering and military parade at Tian’anmen Square.
It is a day to be remembered. Eighty years ago, the Chinese people, together with peoples around the world, defeated fascism and achieved complete victory in the battle of justice versus evil, brightness versus darkness, and progress versus reaction. The Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression is a significant part of the World Anti-Fascism War. Under the united front against Japanese aggression advocated by the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people had endured bloodshed and fire for 14 years, and suffered over 35 million military and civilians casualties, more than any other countries in the world. With such huge sacrifice, the Chinese people held ground against the main forces of the Japanese militarism in the main Eastern theater of the World Anti-Fascist War. This is a great assistance to the Allied forces in the European and Pacific battlefields, and a major contribution to the salvation of human civilization and the defense of world peace and justice.
We shall never forget that the War of Resistance was supported by anti-fascist allies including the Soviet Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, etc. Many friends from around the world braved numerous hardships to a war-torn China to help the Chinese people. Some even sacrificed their lives. We shall also never forget the overseas Chinese who shared weal and woe with the motherland. In particular, the Chinese community in Indonesia generously donated money and supplies, giving all they had for the nation. Many joined the resistance and laid down their lives on the battlefield. The victory belonged to the Chinese people, and also to people across the world who cherish peace and justice.
It is a day that calls for vigilance. History serves both as the best textbook and dose of sobriety. The purpose of our commemoration is not to perpetuate hatred, but to bear history in mind and draw lessons so as to dispel the gloom of war. It is not to dwell on the past, but to create a better future and pass the torch of peace from one generation to another.
The world is undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century, with transformation and turbulence in the international landscape and raging unilateralism and hegemonism. It is regrettable that Japan repeatedly denies or even whitewashes its crime of aggression, shirks its responsibility for the war. This is a mockery of history and insult to human conscience. Such attempts have inevitably aroused vigilance and strong condemnation of the Chinese people and all peace-loving people around the world. This year also marks the 80th Anniversary of the Restoration of Taiwan. The return of Taiwan to China is an integral part of the international order established after the World War II, which is clearly stipulated in a series of instruments with legal effect under international law, including the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation. There is no room for ambiguity or distortion on it.
It is a day to be embraced with hope. This year marks the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations. Over the past eight decades, China, the first putting its signature on the UN Charter, firmly stays on the the path of peaceful development, safeguards world peace and opposes hegemonism and power politics. To defend the legacy of World War II and have a correct historical perspective, we should uphold the UN-centered international system, and oppose any attempt to distort or tamper with the history of World War II.
As President Xi Jinping noted, humanity rises and falls together. Only when all countries and nations treat others as equals, coexist in peace and support each other, can we uphold common security, eradicate the root cause of war, and prevent the recurrence of historical tragedies. No matter how the international landscape evolves, no matter how stronger it may become, China is always a force for world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order. We are ready to work with with all peace-loving countries in the world, including Indonesia, to implement the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), and the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), and make greater contributions to a community with a shared future for humanity.
I am fully confident that the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is irresistible. The noble cause of peace and development of humanity will prevail!
