Chinese President Xi Jinping (C) attends a grand gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War held in Beijing, China, September 3, 2025.
The rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable, said Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday as the country marked the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), made the remarks while addressing a grand commemorative gathering held in Beijing.
Xi said the commemoration is an occasion for us to remember history, honor fallen heroes, cherish peace and create a better future.
“On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, the National People’s Congress, the State Council, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and the CMC, I pay high tribute to our veteran soldiers and comrades, patriots, and officers who fought in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and to the Chinese nationals from home and abroad who made important contributions to our victory,” Xi said.
A great victory
Xi expressed his sincere gratitude to foreign governments and friends who supported and assisted the Chinese people in resisting aggression.
He said the resistance war against Japanese aggression, an arduous and great war, marks China’s first complete victory against foreign aggression in modern times.
The victory in the war was achieved under a national united front against Japanese aggression advocated by the CPC, he said, adding that the Chinese people made a major contribution to the salvation of human civilization and the defense of world peace with immense sacrifice in the resistance war against Japanese aggression, a significant part of the World Anti-Fascist War.
Only when nations across the world treat each other as equals, live in harmony and mutually support one another can common security be safeguarded, the root cause of war eliminated, and historical tragedies prevented from recurring, he said.
The Chinese nation is a great nation that is never intimidated by any bullies, and always values independence and forges ahead, he said.
“In the past, when faced with critical struggles between good and evil, light and darkness, progress and recreation, the Chinese people rallied together to defy the enemy,” Xi said, adding that they fought for the survival of the country, for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and for the justice of the whole humanity.
Building world-class military
Stressing that the PLA has been and, will always be, the heroic armed forces that the Party and the people can fully trust and rely on, he called on all service members to provide strategic support for national rejuvenation and make greater contributions to world peace and development.
He urged the PLA to build itself into world-class forces and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.
A total of 45 formations and echelons have been involved in the grand parade, and many weapons and equipment made their debut, highlighting the PLA’s growing capacity to harness emerging technologies, adapt to the evolving character of warfare, and prepare to prevail in future conflicts.
Experts have said it fully demonstrates the inheritance of the heroic troops in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and showcases the PLA’s new layout of force structure, the new progress in modernization construction, and the new achievements in combat readiness.
The Chinese president has said developing the people’s army into a world-class military at a faster pace is a “strategic task” for building a modern socialist country in all respects.
It has been 10 years since China deepened its reforms of national defense and the armed forces. A decade ago, Xi ordered the reorganization of the military administration structure and military command system, and the building of an efficient, modern military capable of succeeding in information-age warfare.
Thanks to this reform initiative, troop numbers were reduced by 300,000. This cut marked a historic shift, as Army personnel dropped below 50 percent of the total for the first time, non-combat unit staffing was almost halved and officer numbers fell by 30 percent.
Military reform has significantly enhanced operational capabilities. The Army has become faster and more effective at fighting in various environments, while the Navy has expanded its defensive reach from near-seas to open oceans. The Air Force has integrated air and space domains, and the Rocket Force has strengthened both its nuclear and conventional deterrents.
Meanwhile, the PLA has actively fulfilled its global responsibilities in a peaceful manner. Through high-level mutual visits, consultations and dialogues, as well as bilateral and multilateral joint exercises and training, and personnel training cooperation, the PLA has worked with the armed forces of various countries to address common security challenges, and made new and greater contributions to maintaining world peace and building a community with a shared future for humanity.
Path of peaceful development
Xi saidChina will remain committed to the path of peaceful development, and join hands with all peoples around the world in building a community with a shared future for humanity.
Humanity is again faced with a choice of peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, and win-win outcomes or zero-sum games, Xi said, adding that the Chinese people will stand firmly on the right side of history and on the side of human progress.
He called on Chinese people of all ethnic groups to stay united and work hard under the strong leadership of the CPC to build a strong country and advance national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization.
From the concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity to the proposals of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative, China’s ideas have illuminated the path forward as the world seeks sustainable and inclusive development.
A grand gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War held in Beijing, China, September 3, 2025.
SOURCE: CGTN News