Latest news with #ChinesePeople'sWarofResistance
The Star
3 days ago
- General
- The Star
China Focus: 80 years on, WWII stories still captivate Chinese youth
BEIJING: As International Children's Day fell on Sunday (June 1), 10-year-old Zhang Shucheng excitedly opened his gift -- a book that brings to life the dramatic story of the Chongqing bombing during World War II (WWII). Japanese warplanes indiscriminately bombed Chongqing, then China's provisional capital, and nearby cities more than 250 times between 1938 and 1944, killing and injuring more than 32,000 people. "It is a dark chapter in our history," said the student in Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province. "But I feel obliged to know more about it, from which we can draw lessons." Children watch a dry ice experiment during a celebration event ahead of the International Children's Day at a kindergarten in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, May 30. - Photo: Xinhua This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, and of the World Anti-Fascist War. Although the flames of war have long since extinguished, books depicting that tumultuous period and the bravery of those who lived through it continue to captivate young people in China, encouraging them to delve into that important chapter of history. Zhang could not remember when his interest in this phase of history first began. Perhaps, it stems from the bedtime stories his parents would tell him. Thirsty for knowledge, he happily reads at least two books about the war a year. Among his favorites is the cartooned novel Sparkling Red Star, a WWII coming of age story about a boy growing into a soldier. When he has questions, he tries to discover the answers together with his parents and classmates. A pupil participates in a long jump match ahead of the International Children's Day at a school in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, May 30, 2025. - Photo: Xinhua "Sometimes we found it difficult to answer his questions, so we had to check the history books or look online for related data to 'make up for the lesson'," said Zhang's mother Jiang Nan. She said her son is not alone, as she had seen an increasing number of children show an interest in the history of WWII, and together they have discussions. Li Keran, a 55-year-old owner of a bookstore in northeast China's Jilin Province, also observed the change. His bookstore in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, sells picture-story books, which used to be popular among his peers. He told Xinhua that his customers mostly fall into two groups: nostalgic people of his generation and primary school students. "When I was a child I used to be fascinated by the picture-story books," he said. "They could easily appeal to children, and are a good way to tell the younger generation our history so that they will work hard to build our country into a stronger one." An online database on the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and modern Sino-Japanese relations, jointly set up by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Chinese Academy of History, the National Library of China and the National Archives Administration of China, offers more than 60 million pages of materials. Last year the database received a total of about 4.95 million visits from around 740,000 people. The number of visits and visitors increased by about 1 million and 110,000 respectively compared with 2023. In the first three months this year alone, the database has been visited 1.25 million times, with new users accounting for an average of 27 percent of monthly traffic. Literary works in China about the war of resistance first appeared in the 1930s and 1940s, when the country was struggling for survival, and were used to mobilize citizens and boost their morale. They continued to be popular after the People's Republic of China was founded. Some of the characters were once household names across China. In recent decades, especially in the wake of reform and opening up, people have more access to foreign literary works and tastes have diversified. However, the children's book market witnessed a peak in the publication of war-themed books in 2015, the 70th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. Zhang Sining, a researcher with the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, explained that such literary works fall into two categories: fiction and non-fiction. "The fictions are based on real stories reflecting the real history and real spirit of heroes in that era," she said. The scholar noted that in foreign countries there are also similar classics based on particular historical moments, like Molodaya Gvardiya of the Soviet Union and Les Miserables of France. "Literary works could arouse people's interest and lead them to learn about real history events," she said. "People believe that some literary works have vitality because they can share the emotions of and find solace from them," said writer Yang Xiaoyan. A playwright of several famous TV dramas, she herself is also author of several novels about the war for children and teenagers. "The wartime stories are by no means merely tragic narratives. They carry the power to strive for survival and keep moving forward, offering hope in the harshest circumstances," she said. She told Xinhua that while trying to avoid direct depictions of bloody scenes so that the books were suitable for younger readers, she also would like to send her readers messages of peace and love. At the end of a book, she wrote, as a comment in the memorial hall guestbook that main character of the novel saw, that "History is not horrible. What is horrible is the disregard for and oblivion of history. May peace prevail." Many Chinese schools also hosted various activities to encourage students to read more of such "red classics." For instance, in Anying Primary School in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, which was named after a war hero, October has been designated as a "reading month." During this time, students are encouraged to show the results of their reading in forms of plays, paintings and speeches. "Those books provide a bridge for parents and children to have dialogues with their predecessors which transcends time and space," said a teacher Chen Ming. "It is our hope that students could draw wisdom and strength from the books and form a sense of social responsibility, forging ahead bravely in their journeys of the new era." Pupils perform cheerleading dance ahead of the International Children's Day at a school in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, May 30, 2025. - Photo: Xinhua Zhang Shucheng has worked for more than two years in Gansu Provincial Museum as a volunteer guide, sharing insights with visitors based on what he has learned from books. "In the old days our predecessors were ill-equipped, but they still achieved victory by relying on their unwavering beliefs and indomitable spirit," he said. "We will also encounter difficulties in life, but as long as we persist, we will surely push forward." - Xinhua
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
See You in Quzhou: China-US People-to-People Exchange Activities Launched
QUZHOU, China, April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Against the backdrop of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the "See You in Quzhou" China-US people-to-people exchange activities were held in Quzhou, Zhejiang province between April 17 and 18, under the theme "Let History Illuminate the Future". "There is a Memorial Hall to the Doolittle Raid in Quzhou, Zhejiang. The descendants of the American soldiers who were rescued that year often come here to pay tribute to the righteous and courageous Chinese people. I believe the friendship forged by blood and flame will be passed down from generation to generation." On November 15, 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping gave a speech at the joint welcome banquet held by American friendly organizations in San Francisco. On April 17, friendship advocates from both China and the US visited the Doolittle Raid Rescue Site and jointly planted the "Friendship Forest," sowing the seeds of peace and hope. Clips from the documentaries "Saving Pilot Doolittle" and "Midway" were screened at the event on April 18. Looking back, the Chinese and American peoples fought together with global anti-fascist forces, demonstrating unyielding spirit and unwavering resolve to secure a great victory. Their contributions to human peace and justice remain indelible. At the event, eight Chinese and American representatives ceremonially sealed their visions for the future into the "time capsule". When witnesses to the Doolittle Raid rescue, descendants of the rescuers, and foreign guests unveiled the Yudong folk scroll depicting the historic mission, thunderous applause filled the hall. Zhou Liwen, former head of the News Department at Guangming Daily, China's premier intellectual-focused newspaper, also presented his documentary writing "Heroes of the Land--The 1942 Quzhou Promise." The Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation designated Quzhou Senior High School as a "Flying Tigers Friendship School", marking the institution's official inclusion in the "Flying Tigers Friendship School and Youth Leaders Program". Following the presentation of a replication of Liberation Daily featuring the Doolittle Raid to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Quzhou Memorial Hall to the Doolittle Raid and WWII Pacific War Memorial Hall established a sister museum partnership. Additionally, the Quzhou Doolittle Raid Historical Research Association and the USS Hornet Museum exchanged their collections, further strengthening ties between the two nations. During the dialogue session themed on "Let History Illuminate the Future," Chinese and American participants engaged in in-depth discussions centered on "Honoring History and Fostering Friendship." On the same day, the Chinese and American delegates walked through Quzhou's ancient streets and experienced the cultural charm of the Southern Sanctuary of Confucianism. "Quzhou embodies the inclusiveness and vitality of the Chinese culture." Jeff Greene, Chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation observed. The event was co-hosted by the Quzhou Museum and Quzhou Doolittle Raid Historical Research Association, under the guidance of China Public Diplomacy Association. Photo - - - View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE City of Quzhou Sign in to access your portfolio
