On September 3, the world's attention turned to China as it hosted a military parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

When we speak of World War II, the narratives that often come to mind are the Battle of Britain, the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the D-Day landings.

Far less known is the fact that China was the first nation to face the onslaught of Axis aggression.

The invasion by Imperial Japan on September 18, 1931, marked the beginning of a 14-year brutal conflict in the main Eastern Theater, during which China suffered over 35 million casualties.

Similarly absent from mainstream accounts is the immense contribution of over a million common black Africans who fought and died in every major theatre of the war, from Africa and Europe to the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Their deeds, like China's, have rarely been fully acknowledged.

What steps can China take to secure its rightful place in the global historical memory of WWII? And how can Africa better integrate its experience into the world's understanding of that pivotal conflict?

Professor Liu Baocheng, Director of the Center of International Business Ethics at the University of International Business and Economics, and Dr. Kenneth Ombongi, Associate Dean of Research and Postgraduate Studies in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Nairobi argue for a more inclusive global historical memory, centering on the crucial roles of China and Africa with China Africa Talk.

China: The first and longest front

Professor Liu Baocheng outlined China's strategic significance as the first nation to face Axis aggression, fighting a brutal war for 14 years beginning in 1931. He emphasized that China's resistance was a critical deterrent force.

"From 1937 onward, Japan stationed more than half their military forces in China... over 1.2 million Japanese soldiers were bogged down in this country to be able to prevent them from spreading their vicious wings to the Pacific islands... and to the Soviet Far East," he stated.

This massive effort, supported by perilous supply lines like the Hump airlift, provided a vital continental front. Liu Baocheng concluded that without China tying down Japanese forces, "the Pacific war would have been far more protracted and far more costly in property and in life."

Beyond the military contribution, the war left a profound human legacy of an estimated 35 million casualties, catalyzing a drive for national unity and state-building that shaped modern China.

Africa: The backdrop and bloodstream of the War

Dr. Kenneth Umbongi illuminated the frequently erased contributions of over a million African soldiers, describing Africa not merely as a backdrop but as the "bloodstream of the Allied war effort." From the deserts of North Africa to the East African campaign, African troops, resources, and strategic routes were indispensable.

"African hands carried rifles, dug trenches, drove supply trucks and maintained lines of communication. Indeed, African feet trudged the deserts and the forests in defense of empires that were not their own," Umbongi noted.

He presented a powerful paradox: Africans were simultaneously agents of liberation and subjects of colonial subjugation. Many were conscripted or volunteered for complex reasons, from seeking livelihood to adventure. Yet, this experience planted a seed of freedom.

"While fighting under foreign flags, Africans encountered new ideas of freedom, military discipline and self-determination... Many returned with sharpened awareness that they had shed blood for liberties denied at home," Umbongi explained, framing the African soldier as "the precursor of Africa's freedom and independence that we enjoy today."

Why have these stories been forgotten?

Both experts agreed on the reasons for this historical oversight: a persistent "Western-centric narrative" that dominates global historiography. Post-war Cold War politics further discouraged Western powers from highlighting contributions by China. Additionally, fragmented archives and language barriers have limited research access.

Dr. Umbongi summarized the issue using a quote from Nigerian author Chinua Achebe: "'Until the lions have their own historians, the story of the hunt will continue to glorify the hunter.' That is what has been the tragedy of the African continent."

A path forward: From shared memory to shared partnership

The discussion concluded with a call to action. Professor Liu Baocheng proposed concrete steps: strengthening global communication capacities, expanding joint historical research, incorporating these histories into international museums and textbooks, and producing more media to tell these stories.

Ultimately, the panel saw a shared history of suffering and resilience as a foundation for a stronger China-Africa partnership. Dr. Kenneth Umbongi concluded with a visionary outlook:

"Africa and China know the pain of occupation, the cost of war. This collective memory is a moral compass for a new international order... Together, Africa and China can articulate a peace that is not merely the absence of war, but the presence of dignity."

This reflection on the past is not just about correcting the historical record, but also a vital step toward building a more equitable and peaceful multilateral future.