WWII museum alliance to help showcase China’s efforts against aggressors

China is set to establish a WWII museum alliance headquartered in Beijing, the deputy curator of the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1937-45) said on Monday.

"A number of right-wing groups in Japan have doubted the authenticity of some historical photos of the anti-Japanese war, claiming that the photos lacked original sources and were not credited …The alliance aims to integrate resources and to restore the truth of the historical moments," Luo Cunkang said, adding that an exhibition to that effect will be showcased at the United Nations this year.

"The photo exhibition will tell the world about China's efforts during WWII," he said, adding that the more authentic the photographs, the more persuasive and more valuable they are.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the anti-fascist war, but China's efforts during WWII have not been given enough exposure because of historical reasons.

Chinese researchers, authorities and museums are working to regain global recognition of the country's efforts during the war.

The photo exhibition showcasing the war through British scholar Michael Lindsay's eyes at Renmin University of China in Beijing will run till April 17.

The late Michael Lindsay, also the 2nd Baron Lindsay of Birker, was a reporter and English lecturer at Yenching University in Beijing. He spent eight years in China, from 1937 to 1945.

Lindsay lived in Yan'an in Shaanxi province, witnessed the fight against Japan's aggression and recorded the events with his camera.

Photos being exhibited include Lindsay with the US air crew and Dixie Mission members, also known as the United States Army Observation Group, donning the zhongshan uniform in Yan'an.

"The exhibition addresses the global value of China's anti-Japanese war," said Huang Xingtao, dean of the college of history at Renmin University of China.

"Michael Lindsay, as a participant and witness, is a proof that China gained global support during the war," Huang said, adding that Lindsay, as a reporter, told the world how China fought during the war.

"The exhibition marks the anti-Japanese war as being part of the global anti-fascist war," said Yang Huilin, the university's vice-president.