usa.chinadaily.com.cn
China's 80th Anniversary of Victory over Japanese Fascism: A Commemoration and Reaffirmation of History
China commemorated the 80th anniversary of its victory over Japanese fascism with a military parade and events attended by 26 heads of state, emphasizing its long resistance, sacrifices (35 million casualties), and commitment to global peace.
- How does the international response to China's commemoration reflect its global standing and historical significance?
- The attendance of 26 heads of state, including from Russia, North Korea, Belarus, Iran, and Zimbabwe, demonstrates international recognition of China's sacrifices and the justice of its cause. This reflects enduring bonds forged through shared wartime experiences and a common commitment to peace.
- What is the central significance of China's commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory over Japanese fascism?
- The commemoration underscores China's pivotal role in the global anti-fascist war, highlighting its 14-year resistance and immense 35 million casualties. It reaffirms China's historical contributions and its ongoing commitment to global peace and the UN-centric international system.
- What are the broader implications of China's military parade and its stated commitment to peace within the context of its modernization?
- The parade, the first during China's new modernization phase, symbolizes the PLA's progress and China's commitment to peace, despite its growing capabilities. China's pledge to never seek hegemony, expand, or engage in arms races signals a commitment to a UN-centric international order and a shared future for mankind.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents a strongly pro-China perspective, framing China's role in WWII as significantly more important than is commonly acknowledged in Western historical narratives. The emphasis on China's long resistance and high casualties, while factually accurate, is presented to justify the military parade and downplay potential criticisms. The headline (not provided, but implied) would likely reinforce this framing. The repeated use of phrases like "long resistance," "high cost," and "profound contributions" emotionally charges the narrative.
Language Bias
The language used is heavily loaded with positive connotations for China and negative ones for its critics. Terms like "fascist aggression," "sacrifices," and "justice" are used to portray China favorably, while "smear campaign" and "laughable" are used to dismiss opposing views. Neutral alternatives could include replacing "fascist aggression" with "Japanese invasion", and describing the critics' arguments without loaded terms. The repeated use of "international friends" to describe attendees of the parade is also a positive framing.
Bias by Omission
The article omits perspectives critical of China's actions during and after WWII. The narrative focuses almost exclusively on China's suffering and contributions, neglecting any discussion of its own wartime actions or complex post-war relations. While acknowledging space constraints, this omission leaves the reader with an incomplete picture and potentially a skewed view of historical events. The lack of opposing viewpoints prevents a balanced understanding of the commemoration.
False Dichotomy
The article sets up a false dichotomy between those who "remember and honor" China's contributions and those who engage in "smear campaigns." This simplistic framing ignores nuanced perspectives and the possibility of legitimate criticism of the parade or China's government. The article presents no middle ground, thereby polarizing the issue.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article directly addresses SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by highlighting China's long history of resistance against fascism, its commitment to peace and multilateralism, and its contributions to global security. The commemoration of the 80th anniversary of victory in WWII is presented as an affirmation of these values. China's stated commitment to not seeking hegemony or engaging in an arms race further supports this alignment. The article explicitly connects the commemoration to promoting a "community with a shared future for mankind", aligning with the SDG's goals for peaceful and inclusive societies.