China’s Hidden Story in the World Anti-Fascist War
At the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, Harold E. Raugh, Jr., president of the International Commission of Military History, shook up the usual WWII narrative. In his talk on the “Contemporary Significance of the Victory in the World Anti-Fascist War,” Raugh argued that China’s efforts are too often overshadowed in Western textbooks.
Why? For starters, most major works are published in English and other European languages. This gives Western powers a near-monopoly on the political narrative, while Chinese sources stay locked behind a challenging language barrier 📚🔒. Add in post-war fears of communism, and China’s contributions end up sidelined.
A 14-Year Stand Against Aggression
From 1931 to 1945, during the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, China tied down and struck over half of Japan’s overseas forces. The cost: an estimated 35 million military and civilian casualties—about one-third of all WWII lives lost. That’s a staggering sacrifice that deserves a global spotlight.
Lessons for Today
As the world marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War, getting the story straight matters more than ever 🌍🤝. Raugh’s challenge at Xiangshan reminds us that every perspective enriches our shared history.
Next time you dive into WWII stories, don’t forget to explore voices from the Chinese mainland. History becomes richer when we include every chapter! 🔍📜
Reference(s):
China's contribution to WWII victory under-valued: war historian
cgtn.com
