China and Russia have different narratives in describing the anti-fascist victory that ended World War II. Both nations made immense sacrifices that fundamentally shaped postwar reconstruction and reshaped global governance. So why do they continue to grapple?
The 80th anniversary of victory in the Anti-Fascist War holds profound significance for China and Russia. As pivotal contributors to that victory in the Asian and European theaters, both nations made immense sacrifices that fundamentally shaped postwar reconstruction and reshaped global governance.
Their commemoration of this shared history serves a dual purpose: honoring historical memory while affirming an aligned worldview. Amid current global instability, Beijing and Moscow increasingly emphasize strategic coordination to preserve the post-World War II international order centered on the United Nations, while advocating for multipolarity and democratized international relations. This commemorative narrative can be understood in four dimensions.
Strengthening the partnership
Historical memory can be a double-edged sword capable of forging closer ties or breeding discord. As with many neighboring powers with complex histories, China and Russia consciously amplify positive historical connections while managing differences through their “learning from history” principle. The upcoming anniversary observances thus transcend ceremonial remembrance. They serve as strategic reinforcement of their intertwined destinies against external challenges.
People in Western diplomatic circles continue to target China and Russia with divide-and-conquer strategies —particularly through “reverse Kissinger” tactics since the Ukraine conflict. Some narratives attempt to exploit perceived asymmetries in the partnership by framing Russia as China’s junior partner. However, such narratives overlook how Cold War-style containment strategies ironically drove the two powers closer in a more resilient partnership based on common core interests.
As former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul observed, attempts to pull Russia away from China may seem tactically astute but are strategically misguided. Rooted in strategic trust rather than short-term convenience, the relationship maintains stability, error-tolerance and adaptation through its “three nos” principle: no alliance, no confrontation and no targeting of third parties.
Rejecting historical revisionism
Recent Western historical revisionism has manifested itself through distorted WWII narratives — diminishing Chinese and Russian contributions, whitewashing fascist crimes and questioning the Cairo Declaration’s validity. Beijing and Moscow view these selective reinterpretations as attempts to legitimize unjust global arrangements and as interference in sovereign affairs. Their joint resistance against glorifying Nazism, denying victory outcomes or misrepresenting wartime realities has become crucial to preserving historical justice.
Strengthening shared values through historical reflections has become a vital pathway toward deepened strategic cooperation. The concurrent China-Russia Years of Culture initiative, coinciding with 80th anniversary commemorations, provides platforms for reinforcing shared values and resisting historical revisionism. At the May 2024 Years of Culture event launch in Beijing, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized deepening mutual understanding through expanded cultural collaboration — a commitment toward broader and deeper cooperation.
Defending global peace
History warns that wars often erupt from abrupt power shifts and failed great-power coordination. Today, the UN-centered international system and its foundational values and principles are being eroded, with the global power structure shifting and traditional mechanisms for great-power coordination increasingly dysfunctional. Unilateral tendencies like “America first” are returning and causing more uncertainties in the world.
As shadows of war are likely to persist before global strategic stability is restored, multiple countries have started building up arms. With the ReArm Europe initiatives, Europe is spending more on arms, and the military industry is again expanding. In this context, it is even more relevant and imperative for China and Russia to commemorate their shared anti-fascist legacy. As Chinese leaders emphasize, preserving peace is humanity’s common cause. The Chinese people will be firm in the pursuit of peace, the achievement of which demands collective vigilance and historical reflection.
Fostering national pride
In modern state-building, national pride remains closely linked to public remembrance. In 1955, the Soviet Union inaugurated its first Eternal Flame memorial in Tula to honor Red Army sacrifices during the Great Patriotic War. Today, such flames shine in more than 800 Russian cities, serving as both physical reminders and emotional anchors for social unity, embodying collective memory and national dignity.
China likewise cultivates patriotic consciousness and national pride through commemorations of its War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The presence of foreign leaders such as Putin at China’s September 3 Victory Day ceremonies highlights not just shared historical memories but also a shared desire for world peace.
True appreciation of peace emerges from humanity's visceral understanding of wartime suffering and hard-learned historical lessons. History repeatedly demonstrates how peace is fragile when power politics override international norms. Only through candid historical reckoning, drawing wisdom from past tragedies, and steadfast opposition to historical revisionism can we safeguard global justice, rally forces for peace and lay the groundwork for lasting stability.
