In 2025, the world marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. This historic milestone offers an opportunity not only for remembrance but also for renewed reflection on the crucial, yet often underappreciated, role of the Eastern battlefield in shaping the outcome of the war and the international order that followed. China’s prolonged resistance, sacrifices, and strategic contributions were indispensable to the defeat of fascist aggression and the preservation of global peace.

Defining Front in WWII

While much global attention has historically focused on the European theater, the Eastern battlefield—centered in China—was a key pillar in the Allied victory. The Chinese front, which officially began on September 18, 1931, became the longest-lasting and largest theater in the Asian segment of WWII. Before the United States entered the Pacific War in 1941, China stood virtually alone in resisting Japanese expansionism.

China’s resistance was not merely a national struggle; it played a decisive role in halting Japan’s ambitions of continental domination. The Imperial Japanese Army was bogged down in China, committing over half of its troops and draining resources that could otherwise have been deployed elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific. This strategic delay gave Allied powers precious time to regroup, rearm, and eventually mount counter-offensives that led to Japan’s defeat.

Global impact of China’s resistance

The global significance of the Eastern battlefield can be evaluated through several key lenses. First, it formed a prolonged buffer against fascism in Asia. China’s resistance denied Japan the rapid conquest it anticipated, forcing a war of attrition that severely weakened Japanese capacity.

Second, it served as a catalyst for Allied cooperation. China’s resistance became an early test case for international solidarity against fascism. It laid the groundwork for the China-US-UK-USSR alliance and China’s eventual position as one of the “Big Four” in the founding of the United Nations. Leaders like Franklin D. Roosevelt recognized China’s importance not only as a battlefield ally but also as a central pillar of the postwar world order.

Commemoration and lessons for today

The 80th anniversary is more than a historical observance—it is a reminder of the costs of war, the value of international cooperation, and the enduring need to oppose hegemonic aggression in all forms. In an increasingly multipolar world facing new geopolitical uncertainties, the lessons of the Eastern battlefield remain relevant. China’s wartime unity, resilience, and strategic patience provide a model for navigating crises without succumbing to external domination.

Furthermore, the commemoration calls on the global community to honor historical truth. Efforts to revise or diminish the contributions of China and other non-Western nations to the WWII victory threaten to erode collective memory and fracture global solidarity. It is imperative to maintain historical justice by acknowledging the pivotal role China played in the war.

As the world commemorates the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, it must recognize the Eastern battlefield as a decisive front in the global fight against fascism. China’s resistance altered the trajectory of world history, prevented greater atrocities, and helped forge the international institutions we rely on today. In remembering the past, we are better equipped to uphold peace, mutual respect, and multilateral cooperation in the future.

Alpha Mohamed Jalloh is director of the China-Africa Institute at the University of Makeni in Sierra Leone.