During World War II, when foreign invaders' bayonets ripped the tranquility in China's rural society, amid the flames and bloodshed, 400 million compatriots forged an indomitable national resilience. The great spirit of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression is an invaluable spiritual legacy of the Chinese. For over 80 years, this spirit has transcended time and space, inspiring the nation to overcome challenges and strive to realize the "Chinese Dream" of national rejuvenation.

President Xi Jinping emphasized, at a symposium commemorating the 75th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in 2020, that during the epic course of the War of Resistance, the Chinese people forged a great spirit of resistance. They demonstrated to the world a deep sense of patriotism rooted in the belief that every citizen bears responsibility for the nation's survival, a noble national character that values dignity over life, a heroic resolve to fight to the end without fear of violence and an unyielding faith in ultimate victory despite countless hardships.

This spirit is the wellspring of strength for the achievements in the new era.

National identity forged in crucible of war

The War of Resistance ended the disunity that plagued pre-war Chinese society, forming a powerful centripetal force that awakened national consciousness. This national awakening manifested an unprecedented surge of patriotism. The profound national identity and mobilization capacity born in this era laid a solid foundation of political and popular will for the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1949 and subsequent modernization efforts – an irreplaceable cornerstone for undertaking any new great cause.

The war also significantly advanced political consolidation. Wartime exigencies demanded unparalleled efficiency in political mobilization. In the Communist-controlled base areas, the Communist Party of China (CPC) implemented a "three-thirds system" – one-third of the positions in the CPC-led liberated areas were held by Party members, one-third by non-CPC left-leaning progressives, and one-third by representatives of the middle social classes, in this way uniting fragmented social forces. It mobilized the masses for guerrilla warfare to pin down enemy forces, launched production campaigns to sustain the war effort, and built a united front for national resistance.

These wartime political practices created the "millet plus rifles" miracle, in which the underdog Chinese People's Liberation Army, armed with only basic supplies, defeated a powerful and better-equipped enemy. They also forged an efficient organizational system and cadre corps, the foundational elements of modern Chinese governance.

Cultural reconstruction

While war brings destruction, it also ignites extraordinary resilience and creativity. Amid the suffering and displacement, a wartime culture flourished, playing a vital role in mobilizing the public and uplifting morale. Songs, street theater, reportage literature, and publicity comics – art forms loved by the people – proliferated, encouraging the masses and promoting the organic fusion of modern nationalism and the spirit of the people.

On a deeper level, war prompted self-reflection and cultural reevaluation. The spiritual core of Chinese culture displayed remarkable vitality and regenerative power amid foreign invasion. This cultural self-examination and creativity, underpinned by a national spirit that embraced death over dishonor, became the wellspring of cultural confidence. The cultural resilience forged in the fires of resistance has since nourished China's determination to preserve its national character while absorbing the best of global civilization – offering spiritual and value-based sustenance for building a socialist cultural powerhouse in the new era.

A commitment to peace

After the Chinese nation triumphed over a formidable enemy through heroic resolve and unyielding belief in victory, the people, with unimaginable endurance and sacrifice, threw themselves into rebuilding their homeland. Their commitment to peace was profound – not born of fear or forgetfulness, but from deep personal scars of war. The national consciousness deeply cherished the principles of "fighting to end war" and "the preciousness of peace." These values became part of China's collective psyche and found expression in the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence proposed after the founding of the PRC.

These principles – mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence – remain the guiding principles in China's foreign policy.

In the new era, China stands close to the center of the world stage. With its rising global responsibilities, it has proposed building a "community with a shared future for humanity." This is rooted in the Chinese people's wartime spiritual rebirth and understanding that isolationism is untenable, the law of the jungle brings universal harm, and nations share intertwined destinies. The vision for a world of lasting peace, common security, shared prosperity, openness and inclusiveness, and ecological sustainability is a constructive response to the wounds of history. It is a choice to not forget or succumb to hatred but to rise to a higher dimension of collective responsibility for the future.

The enduring spirit of resistance

The great spirit of resistance – patriotism in defense of the nation, integrity in the face of death, heroism against oppression, and unshakable faith in victory – has become part of the bloodline of the Chinese nation and serves as a perpetual engine for overcoming all obstacles and achieving greatness in the new era.

During the arduous years of reconstruction, the belief in ultimate victory fueled the rebuilding of a ruined homeland and laid an industrial foundation to rise from poverty. The success of programs like "Two Bombs, One Satellite," the project to develop the atom bomb, the intercontinental ballistic missile, and the artificial satellite in the 1960s and early 1970s to bolster the nation's scientific and defense capabilities, was a vivid testament to the spirit of self-reliance and perseverance.

In the tide of reform and opening up in the 1970s, the heroism of the resistance era evolved into a bold spirit of innovation, ushering in an economic miracle. In the face of challenges such as the devastating earthquake in Wenchuan in southwest China in 2008 that killed over 80,000 people, and the COVID-19 pandemic, the spirit of sacrifice and collective responsibility once again manifested as nationwide unity. In the fight against poverty, at the frontiers of technological innovation, and in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the enduring spirit of resistance continues to shine.

Xi called this spirit the great spirit of resisting aggression bred during the war is an invaluable source of inspiration, and will always motivate the Chinese people to overcome all difficulties and obstacles and strive to achieve national rejuvenation.

Today, China stands at a new historical starting point, with the goal of building a modern socialist country and realizing national rejuvenation. The journey ahead will undoubtedly present new challenges, but the great spirit of resistance, with its timeless power, will provide the nation with enduring spiritual support. With this priceless legacy, the Chinese people will face the future with greater confidence, inclusiveness, and responsibility – overcoming all obstacles, creating new achievements worthy of history and the people, and ultimately realizing the grand dream of national rejuvenation.

Li Zixin is deputy director of the Office of Intelligence and Science and Technology at the China Institute of International Studies.