A watershed moment in China's history
Updated: 2015-09-04 09:26
By Zhang Taiyuan(China Daily)
|
||||||||
Also, China has been a leader among developing countries in reforming the international relations based on the colonial system. It is noteworthy that many important international meetings and declarations during and after World War II, which served as the bedrock of the anti-fascist alliance and helped develop the postwar world order, were proposed by China.
It was the victory against the Japanese aggressors that helped China regain its sovereignty and some of its lost territory. Chinese people had struggled for more than 100 years to abolish the unfair treaties imposed on it by colonial powers. Chinese people's contribution to the war against fascism helped them realize this dream as well as earn them the respect of the world. In October 1942, the United States and Britain gave up their extraterritoriality and annulled their unfair treaties with China. Other Western colonial powers followed their example later.
The Cairo Declaration, Potsdam Proclamation and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender all recognized China's sovereignty over the areas it had lost in the war against Japanese aggression. Given the specific knowledge Chinese people have about China's territory, they will never compromise on it, nor will they covet other countries' territories.
The victory 70 years ago also laid the foundation for a modern political system in China. A war is an experimental field for different proposals by different parties. In this sense, the victory opened for China the most feasible road to future success. China's fast economic development for the past decades is a testimony to that.
Disaster and death are one side of a war, honor and dream the other. The commemorative activities marking the 70th anniversary of the victory in the war against Japanese aggression not only recall the sacrifices made by the Chinese people, they also look forward to a better future.
This is an abridgement of an article published in Study Times on Aug 31.
- China's V-Day parade to recognize its contribution, sacrifice in WWII
- China's important contribution to WWII little known to Europeans
- China plays crucial WWII role by confronting Axis powers in Asia
- A window to WWII and path to peace
- Publishers commemorate 70 years of WWII victory
- A living memorial for WWII heroes: doctors that traveled miles to China
- Global health entering new era: WHO chief
- Brazil's planning minister steps aside after recordings revelation
- Vietnam, US adopt joint statement on advancing comprehensive partnership
- European border closures 'inhumane': UN refugee agency
- Japan's foreign minister calls A-bombings extremely regrettable
- Fukushima impact unprecedented for oceans: US expert
- Stars of Lijiang River: Elderly brothers with white beards
- Wealthy Chinese children paying money to learn British manners
- Military-style wedding: Fighter jets, grooms in dashing uniforms
- Striking photos around the world: May 16 - May 22
- Robots help elderly in nursing home in east China
- Hanging in the air: Chongqing holds rescue drill
- 2.1-ton tofu finishes in two hours in central China
- Six things you may not know about Grain Buds
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Anti-graft campaign targets poverty relief |
Cherry blossom signal arrival of spring |
In pictures: Destroying fake and shoddy products |
China's southernmost city to plant 500,000 trees |
Cavers make rare finds in Guangxi expedition |
Cutting hair for Longtaitou Festival |
Today's Top News
Liang avoids jail in shooting death
China's finance minister addresses ratings downgrade
Duke alumni visit Chinese Embassy
Marriott unlikely to top Anbang offer for Starwood: Observers
Chinese biopharma debuts on Nasdaq
What ends Jeb Bush's White House hopes
Investigation for Nicolas's campaign
Will US-ASEAN meeting be good for region?
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |