75th year of Japan’s surrender highlights national spirit
Tens of thousands of movie goers are expected to head to theaters across China on Friday night for the release of a movie that depicts Chinese soldiers’ perseverance in a battle in 1937 against Japanese invaders, despite strict COVID-19 prevention measures, as the country looks to remember the 75th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II on Saturday.
While more Chinese people prefer to remember one of the country’s most painful memories by watching the movie in theaters, even more expressed their sentiments on social media by denouncing Japanese militarism and relishing a stronger, wealthier China that now has the ability to defend the Chinese people.
They say that lagging behind leaves the country vulnerable to invasion and bullying. Such a perspective is even more relevant now, as China seems to be facing endless confrontations ignited by the US.
Many TV series and movies about the anti-Japanese war have also been released and streamed to the public for free in some cities.
Every Chinese should remember that history, as the lessons we learned from our tragic past have become an important part of our national spirit: uniting together to fight against invasion, Lü Yaodong, director of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences’ Institute of Japanese Studies, told the Global Times.
Refreshing the memories and spirit of the past is particularly important today, as another major country is attacking and pressuring China, Lü said.
Commemorating history also reminds us to cherish our hard-won peace and to be cautious of those who undermine peace and stability, Lü said, noting that China-Japan ties have recently been enduring a chill as Japan is seemingly surrendering to US pressure.
Chinese observers noted that considering the current chill in China-Japan ties caused by the Japanese side, Japan, which had historically brought great misery to the Chinese people, should learn from history and not follow the same path. Experts also criticized Japan for following the US policies too closely in recent months.