Editor's Note: As 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, CGTN presents "Forging a Peaceful Future," a special series of in-depth news analyses. These stories delve into history, explore the post-war world order and highlight how China's past has shaped its sustained contributions to global peace today.

The Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was the Chinese people's longest and largest struggle against foreign aggression in modern times since the Opium War of 1840. It came with the greatest sacrifice but culminated in the first complete victory in the people's struggle for national liberation.

From 1931 to 1945, the Chinese people waged an arduous and unyielding 14-year struggle, ultimately defeating the aggressive Japanese militarists and making a decisive contribution to the worldwide victory over fascism.

As Chinese President Xi Jinping has emphasized, the great victory was a historic turning point at which the Chinese nation rose from a severe crisis in modern times and embarked on a journey toward great rejuvenation and an integral part of the world's triumph over fascism. The victory belonged to the Chinese people, as well as people across the world.

China's resistance against Japanese aggression was inextricably linked to the future of humanity. The Chinese people fought not only for national independence but also for global peace. China was the first to fight against fascist aggression and sustained the longest resistance. The tremendous sacrifices of the Chinese people sustained the main Eastern Battlefield of the World Anti-Fascist War.

China pinned down and engaged the bulk of Japanese military forces. By preventing Japan from launching major northward or southward offensives, China made an indispensable contribution to the triumph of the World Anti-Fascist War. These efforts significantly alleviated the strategic pressure on the Soviet Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, and other Allied nations.

The profound truth that "peace will prevail" reflects the inevitable trend of global solidarity and harmonious coexistence.

For a shared future

History cannot be relived, but a shared future can be shaped.

Over the past 80 years, China has achieved national independence and people's liberation, and accomplished two miracles: rapid economic growth and lasting social stability. Today, the country is embarking on a path to modernization that advances its own development while contributing to the world.

The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an irreversible historical process.

From completing the historical tasks of poverty alleviation and building a moderately prosperous society in all respects to maintaining its position as the world's second-largest economy and the largest trading nation in goods, these great achievements in the new era have further strengthened the Chinese people's belief in following their own development path.

While eradicating its own poverty, China has championed South-South cooperation. China has extended development aid to over 160 countries, collaborated with more than 150 countries through the Belt and Road Initiative, and worked with over 100 countries and international organizations, including the United Nations, on projects under the Global Development Initiative (GDI).

Through the GDI, nearly $20 billion in development funds have been mobilized, supporting the launch of over 1,100 projects.

Meanwhile, China has also trained over 400,000 professionals from more than 180 countries, thereby improving the capacity-building level of relevant countries in the field of poverty alleviation.

China not only provides opportunities for the world through its own development but is also committed to global common development.

From the concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity to the proposals of the GDI, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, China's ideas have illuminated the path forward as the world seeks sustainable and inclusive development.

As a member of the Global South, China has provided assistance to other developing countries within its means to help the recipient countries improve their development capacity. China has also actively engaged in international exchanges and cooperation, partnering with nearly 20 international organizations, including the UN World Food Programme, the UN Development Programme, and the World Health Organization.

Through implementing a number of "small and beautiful" livelihood projects in areas such as poverty alleviation, food security, public health and climate change, China has supported the socioeconomic development of many developing countries, improving the lives of millions.

During the recently concluded Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit 2025 in Tianjin, north China, Xi proposed the Global Governance Initiative – another important public good that China has shared with the world to promote building a more just and reasonable global governance system.

These four initiatives inject stability and certainty into a turbulent world, reflecting China's active role and sense of responsibility in international affairs, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, pledging that China will continue to uphold multilateralism, championing unity over division and cooperation over confrontation.