Interview: China plays pivotal role in defeating fascism, Japanese militarism, says Russian expert

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia

2025-05-10 21:25:15

The 11th national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

"The Chinese people displayed extraordinary resilience and courage under extremely difficult conditions" in defeating Japanese militarism, crucial to victory in 1945 in the World Anti-Fascist War, a Russian museum expert has said.

MOSCOW, May 10 (Xinhua) -- As the main theater in the East of the World Anti-Fascist War, China played a pivotal role in defeating Japanese militarism and achieving broader victory over fascism, an outcome made possible by the immense sacrifices of the Chinese people, a Russian museum expert has said.

Boris Cheltsov, scientific secretary of the Victory Museum in Moscow, underscored China's vital role in the war's outcome, noting that its prolonged resistance on the eastern front prevented Japan from redeploying large military forces elsewhere, which significantly weakened its strategic position.

"The Chinese people displayed extraordinary resilience and courage under extremely difficult conditions," he said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War in Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2025. Leaders from more than 20 countries and international organizations were invited to the events. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Both Russia and China share a commitment to preserving the historical memory and their joint efforts to honor the legacy of World War II, counter historical revisionism and promote multilateral dialogue play a vital role in safeguarding the truth about the past, he said.

"Both countries oppose any attempts to revise the outcomes of the war -- a stance that is especially important amid ongoing actions by certain countries to distort historical events and reshape the global political landscape," he said.

Cheltsov also pointed out that Russia and China support the UN-centered international system and advocate for an international order underpinned by international law.

Their coordination and cooperation through frameworks like the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS reinforces the principles of sovereignty, non-interference and equal cooperation among states, he said.

History serves as a reminder of the dangers of aggression and militarism, Cheltsov noted, while highlighting the importance of cooperation.

"The decision to organize joint events (of commemoration) reflects the strong and trust-based Russian-Chinese relations, as well as the shared responsibility both countries have toward future generations," Cheltsov said. ■