China's key role in WWII overlooked

"Today, Asia has essentially been at peace, at least in terms of international conflict, for more than four decades, but that didn't happen by accident. It happened because, in the end, partly through chance and planning, the major actors in the region have managed to come to deals, compromises, agreements and pacts with each other. That means that all-out war has been avoided. That's not true in the Middle East. It's no longer true in Europe. It isn't true in Africa," he said.

"Maintaining that peace is immensely important. It's important for trade, for economic growth in the world and for dealing with climate change. Most of all, it's important because what learning about the war and the war of resistance tells you is the sheer cost in human lives, as well as the damage and destruction that it causes to the social fabric and to the ability of people to build a peaceful and prosperous life.

"War is disruptive to everything. For that reason, it's vitally important that regions find ways to make sure that they turn to negotiation and discussion and avoid conflict or military actions as a means of solving disputes. What the war shows is that, in the end, it causes huge destruction, and it doesn't answer the questions that need to be answered."