China Headlines: China unveils V-Day parade plans, stressing anti-Fascist role (2)

Qu Rui (3rd L), deputy director of the Parade Steering Group Office, speaks to the media after a press conference in Beijing, capital of China, June 23, 2015. China on Tuesday announced plans for commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, including inviting foreign militaries to participate in a parade on Sept. 3. (Xinhua/Chen Jianli)

FORGOTTEN ALLY?

During Tuesday's briefing, Wang thanked other nations for their "precious support" in China's war against Japanese aggression while defending China's role in WWII.

The Soviet Union, United States, United Kingdom and France all supported China during the war, Wang said.

The Soviet Union was the first to come to China's aid, and the actions of Soviet troops in northeast China accelerated the defeat of the invaders, Wang said.

The United States also provided great support, with the UK and France offering economic aid and military cooperation, he said. Dozens of other countries also contributed to the war effort.

Wang thanked a number of individuals including American journalist Agnes Smedley and Canadian doctor Henry Norman Bethune. "Chinese people will forever remember the precious contribution of people from many countries," he said.

He also pointed out that some westerners downplayed China's role in WWII, saying they "lack objectivity and appreciation of China's position and role."

"The historical facts are that the Chinese people's war against Japanese aggression was an important part of the world anti-fascist war and [China] played a significant role as the major oriental battlefield," he said.

China defeated Japanese invaders, killing more than 1.5 million their troops, which coordinated with the allies' campaigns. China also paid a great price, with more than 35 million soldiers and civilians sacrificed.

China's position in the Asian theater and the Asian theater's position in WWII should be understood, recognized and remembered by the international community, said Yin Zhuo, director of an expert consultation committee of the PLA Navy. "That is [shows] respect for history."

He said some countries had intentionally belittled the CPC's role in fighting Japanese Fascists through guerrilla wars.

It is hoped that Western countries shelve their differences and promote a diversified international society that features exchange and integration, just like in World War II; abandoning prejudice and fighting side by side against Fascism.

Without China's resistance, the situation would have been much harder for Western allies on the Asian front, according to Rana Mitter, director of Oxford University's China Center.

According to Rana, who is also the author of the book Forgotten Ally: China's World War II 1937-1945, the tragic, titanic struggle that China waged in the 1930s and 1940s was not just for its own national dignity and survival, but for the victory of all the Allies.