People's Daily:

This year is the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. We note that the release of the fourth batch of national-level anti-Japanese war memorial facilities and sites and a new list of renowned heroes, martyrs and heroic groups represents an important activity to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Could you provide a brief overview of the related work? Thank you.

Ma Feixiong:

Thank you for your question. History is the best textbook, and also the best sobering agent. War memorial facilities, historical sites, and the martyrs and heroes who fought against Japanese aggression stand as important witnesses to 14 years of heroic resistance and carry forward the great spirit of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The release of these two lists represents an important way to honor and remember the immortal contributions of resistance heroes while promoting the great spirit of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the great national spirit. It also provides an important opportunity to cultivate patriotic feelings, strengthen our resolve to build a great country, and conduct historical, ideological and political education throughout society. Following approval by the CPC Central Committee and State Council, three batches of lists were released in 2014, 2015 and 2020, encompassing 260 national-level War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression memorial facilities and historical sites, as well as 1,085 renowned heroes, martyrs and heroic groups.

This year is the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. To better honor the immortal merits of the resistance heroes and promote the great spirit of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the MVA worked with 12 military and civilian departments starting in April to issue notices organizing local nominations. We also publicly solicited leads from society and requested recommendations from relevant institutions and Chinese diplomatic missions overseas. We worked collaboratively to select the fourth batch of national-level anti-Japanese war memorial facilities and sites and the new list of renowned heroes, martyrs and heroic groups. We organized teams to collect and sort archival materials, conduct editing and verification, and carry out on-site investigations of War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression memorial facilities and sites. We invited experts on CPC history, military history and modern history to conduct careful reviews. Through collaboration with relevant departments, the lists were finalized. Following approval from the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, the lists have recently been published.

The fourth batch of lists includes 34 facilities and sites, 41 heroes and two heroic groups. The selection process took more than five months from inception to publication. It has three main characteristics: First, it highlights the CPC's pivotal role in the nationwide War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Under a national united front advocated by the CPC, the Chinese people fought bravely against Japanese aggression, together with anti-fascist allies and the peoples of various countries. Second, it emphasizes presenting the 14-year arduous history of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression from 1931 to 1945. Third, it recognizes the sacrifices and contributions made both on the frontal battlefields and behind enemy lines, while honoring and documenting the heroic actions of overseas Chinese and international supporters during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Thank you.