China marks 80th anniversary of WWII victory with exhibit
A dedicated exhibition is set to kick off at the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression on Monday to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, officials announced Thursday at a State Council Information Office press conference.
The 12,200-square-meter display features 1,525 photos and 3,237 cultural relics, which will become a permanent fixture at the museum, said Luo Cunkang, curator of the museum, at the press conference.
Divided into eight sections, the exhibition employs a range of modern display techniques to bring history to life, combining rare artifacts, archival documents, historical footage, artworks, and immersive recreations of key moments.
The exhibition traces the 14-year war from 1931 to 1945, highlighting how the Chinese people, under the Communist Party of China (CPC)-led national united front, fought for survival, national revival, and a broader struggle for human justice, Luo said.
According to Luo, the exhibition places China's war against Japanese aggression in an international context to highlight its role as an important chapter of the global anti-fascist struggle.
By using artifacts and chart data, it will show how China defeated Japanese fascism and supported other fronts in Europe and Asia, profoundly contributing to the final victory and world peace.
"It is worth mentioning that some newly discovered documents will be displayed for the first time during the exhibition," Luo said.
Zhou Xueying, a professor with the School of History at Nanjing University, told the Global Times on Thursday that amid today's complex and ever-changing international situation, revisiting this period of history, especially the spirit of the anti-fascist alliance, the will to resist aggression, and the value placed on peace that it contains, offers profound insights into handling contemporary international relations and maintaining regional and global peace.
He highlighted the critical challenge of preserving historical memory as many witnesses have passed away after eighty years.
Opening on Monday, the exhibition offers extended hours and free tours.
Besides exhibitions, a number of films, television dramas, documentaries and online dramas are set to be released in July to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War.
It is worth noting that China will use AI to restore wartime photos and documentaries to better recover the history of the period.
Regarding documentaries, Han Fei, an associate professor with the Communication University of China, told the Global Times on Thursday that AI and technologies such as scene recreation serve as valuable tools to enhance narrative power, aesthetic quality, and the visitor experience, making them suitable for modern contexts.
In addition, another art exhibition under the same theme will be held at the National Art Museum of China from August to September. It will feature over 300 excellent works collected nationwide, including stunning new creations, said Lu Yingchuan, Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism, at the press conference.
The artworks cover a range of diverse forms, such as traditional Chinese paintings, oil paintings, prints, sculptures, and watercolors.
According to Lu, a related evening gala will be held on September 3 in Beijing.
Meanwhile, from August to October, a series of outstanding stage performances will also be held to commemorate the 80th anniversary. Around 20 high-quality productions will be selected from across the country and staged in major theaters in Beijing for approximately 40 performances in total.
"We are advancing the creation of a series of themed works that tell the story of the Chinese people's unyielding struggle before, during, and after the War Against Japanese Aggression," said Liu Jianguo, a deputy director with the National Radio and Television Administration, adding that a series of documentaries and online docuseries under this theme will be released throughout the year.
Among the works, micro-dramas caught the attention of many reporters at the press conference.
Liu highlighted the growing popularity of online micro-dramas, noting their user base surged to 662 million by late 2024, reaching nearly 60 percent of internet users and with over 70 percent making them part of their regular viewing habits.
"Leveraging this trend, creators are combining micro-dramas with wartime themes to revitalize historical narratives for younger audiences," Liu said, adding that across China, online audiovisual platforms are accelerating wartime-themed content production for the 80th anniversary of the war's end, including documentaries and interactive activities, to encourage public participation in remembrance initiatives.
Han said that micro-dramas represent an emerging industry trend and a current hotspot.
"Leveraging micro-dramas for significant themes is timely, as their user-centric approach aligns with contemporary attention and communication dynamics, which is essential for achieving public impact," he said.