Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union, the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, and the World Anti-Fascist War

Ambassador Mrs Fang Hong of the People’s Republic of China and Ambassador Mr Vladimir A. Kalinin of the Russian Federation
 
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union, the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and the World Anti-Fascist War.
Eight decades ago, fascist and militarist powers launched wars of aggression that wreaked great havoc on the world. China and Russia, together with more than 50 other countries including Laos, expressed their determination to oppose the invasion. Together, we achieved a triumph of justice over evil, light over darkness, and progress over reaction.
As the primary Asian theatre in World War II and a bulwark against Japanese militarism, China bore the brunt of the earliest, longest and fiercest enemy attacks. China made immense sacrifices and significant contributions to the ultimate defeat of the Axis powers.
With 35 million casualties, China inflicted over 1.5 million casualties on the Japanese military, accounting for more than 70 percent of its total losses in the war. By draining Japan’s resources, exhausting its manpower, and weakening its ability to fight elsewhere, China delayed Japan’s “Southern Advance” into the Pacific.
Without China’s resistance, Japan would have had a stronger presence in the Pacific and World War II would have unfolded quite differently.
Russia also played a crucial, indispensable, and ultimately decisive role in World War II.
As the backbone of the resistance against German Nazism, Russia lost 27 million lives and nearly every family experienced the loss of loved ones. The brave soldiers of Russia and its brotherly nations destroyed or disabled 607 enemy divisions, 77.5 percent of German Nazism and Axis forces lost in the war, laying the groundwork for the ultimate Allied victory. 
Together with the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and other members of the Allied Forces, Russia and China helped to secure a great victory, an achievement forever enshrined in the history of the fight for peace and justice.
On September 3 every year, we commemorate the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, which is attributed to the immense sacrifice of all anti-fascist forces. It should be recognised and respected by all. 
Yet the vital contributions of China and Russia remain largely overlooked, downplayed, and even distorted in Western narratives in an attempt to break the very foundations of the post-war international order. History stands as it is, and the facts speak for themselves.
To honour the legacy of the victory, China and Russia have been holding joint commemorative activities for years.
In May, President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Russia and attended celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War victory. President Putin is visiting Beijing to take part in a military parade 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.
The war has taught us a vital lesson: “Might makes right” is the logic of hegemony, not a universal principle. It is short-sighted and bound to backfire. We must reject confrontational mindsets, embrace win-win cooperation, and work together for a community with a shared future for humanity. That is the only way for us to avoid repeating past tragedies and to enjoy lasting peace and development.
Eighty years ago, China and Russia, along with other members of the Allied Forces, took to heart the hard lessons of history, established the United Nations and created the UN Charter.
Born out of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, the international order and system centred on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter have served as a cornerstone for peace and a strong protector of the common interests of all nations.
Eighty years on, humanity faces new turbulence and transformation. Unilateralism and bullying run rampant and the UN-centred international system and the law-based international order are under serious threat.
At this critical juncture, it is more imperative than ever to defend and strengthen the international order which has contributed to global peace, security and stability. Shared growth can only be achieved through consultation and collaboration, and the scope of multilateralism needs to be broadened and enriched.
As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory over militaristic Japan and the end of World War II, together with other countries, we stand ready to take history as a mirror, remain firmly on the side of justice, safeguard the UN-centred international order, and build a brighter future of peace, cooperation, and shared prosperity for all.
The above article expresses the views of the Ambassadors of China and Russia to Laos and does not necessarily reflect the editorial perspective of the Vientiane Times.

(Latest Update September 3, 2025)

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update September 2, 2025)