Anti-aggression spirit still inspiring today

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War. The war of resistance against Japanese aggression is a milestone in China's history, which demonstrated the Chinese people's resilience against imperialist aggression and their struggle to achieve national independence. It reversed the humiliating history of modern China being repeatedly bullied by foreign powers and wrote a glorious chapter in the nation's rejuvenation.

The spirit of resistance against Japanese aggression inspires people to work for the well-being of the country, encourages them to sacrifice their individual goals for the greater common good and confront brute force with valor and an unfailing belief in victory.

These qualities reflect the emotions, character and values of the Chinese people in the face of suffering and crises. Success comes through hard work, and hard work is the spiritual force that continues to shine in people's struggles across the world even today.

Patriotism has always been a powerful force inspiring the Chinese people to strive for success. During the war of resistance against Japanese aggression, the Chinese people united under the banner of patriotism, forming a united front against Japanese aggression to wage a heroic battle against the Japanese aggressors.

History tells us that the Chinese people's unity was the source of strength that overcame all hardships. In today's rapidly changing international landscape and major power competition, it is even more important to uphold the patriotic spirit.

National pride and dignity demand that China never yield to enemies. During the war of resistance against Japanese aggression, the Chinese people faced brutal atrocities, but despite that they always upheld the nation's dignity and fought the aggressors without the fear of death.

The war of resistance against Japanese aggression was a protracted war full of hardships. The unyielding spirit and the persevering belief in victory drove the Chinese people to ultimately achieve victory in the war. Despite severe material shortages and dire living conditions, the Chinese people never gave up. Instead, through self-reliance and hard work, they overcame one challenge after another. It was this belief in victory that enabled the Chinese people to triumph after 14 years of arduous struggle.

That's why Chinese people can never be bullied. As for some big power's trade wars against its trading partners, as well as some developed countries' technology blockade, China should strengthen its "strategic defense" but maintain strategic restraint by "not escalating confrontation" at the macro level while taking "precise and proportional countermeasures" at the micro level.

The most valuable lesson of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression is China's commitment to follow the path of peaceful development. In fact, the pursuit of peaceful development is the best way to build a community with a shared future for humanity.

The fundamental reason for the victory in the war of resistance against Japanese aggression was the unprecedented national awakening and the establishment of the united front against Japanese aggression.

Similarly, China's victory in World War II was achieved because people around the world embraced the concept of a shared future for humankind and formed a united global anti-fascist front. The anti-fascist forces across the world supported China's resistance against the Japanese aggressors, while China's resilience against the Japanese aggressors helped the anti-fascist forces around the world to achieve victory.

In today's world, only by spreading awareness about humankind's shared future, upholding the banners of peace, development and cooperation, and following the path of peaceful development can human society progress.

The spirit of the war of resistance against Japanese aggression, forged during the 14-year struggle, has transcended historical memory to become the "spiritual framework" supporting China's peaceful rise and help it navigate the complexities of international relations.

In today's increasingly complex and severe external environment, marked by unilateralism, hegemonism and power politics, issues like energy security, food security and cybersecurity have become intertwined, and major big country competition is intensifying. China will continue to believe in victory and resist any form of hegemonism.

Today, the country stands at a critical juncture on its journey toward Chinese modernization. Facing formidable challenges, China should continue to uphold the spirit of the war of resistance against Japanese aggression to overcome the challenges and realize national rejuvenation.

The author is a professor at the Institute of Japanese Studies, Nankai University.

The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.