#China #Beijing #Victory Day #Peace

Choosing Between War and Peace: A Message from China

On September 3, 2025, China held a significant event to celebrate the 80th anniversary of its victory in the Anti-Japanese War, a milestone that reflects not only historical triumph but also the country's ongoing commitment to peace in a world fraught with turmoil and uncertainty. This impressive occasion took place in Tiananmen Square, where the presence of UN peacekeeping experienced Chinese troops was particularly noteworthy.

The display of military forces at this year’s Victory Day Parade underscored China's dedication to fulfilling its international obligations and fostering global peace. President Xi Jinping, during his address, posed a pressing question to humanity: "Today, we must again choose between war and peace, dialogue and confrontation, win-win cooperation and zero-sum games." This statement exemplifies the philosophy that China endorses as it positions itself on the right side of history and human progress.

Adopting a path of peaceful development, Xi stated that China would join hands with the rest of the world to create a community with a shared future for humanity. He highlighted that China remains committed to promoting peace through collective actions, reinforcing its role as the largest troop contributor among the permanent members of the UN Security Council, while also being the second-largest financial donor to UN peacekeeping missions.

Since joining UN peacekeeping operations 35 years ago, over 50,000 Chinese peacekeepers have been deployed across 26 missions in countries such as South Sudan and Lebanon. Notably, in 2024, China's share of the total assessed contributions reached 18.69%, surpassing those of the UK, France, and Russia, further validating its commitment to international peacekeeping efforts.

Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, recognized China's significant, constructive, and useful role in supporting UN peacekeeping missions. This recognition echoes China's track record of not provoking conflicts, occupying foreign territories, or engaging in proxy wars since the founding of the People's Republic in 1949. It is a rare phenomenon for a major power to enshrine peaceful development in its constitution and pledge not to be the first to use nuclear weapons.

At the Victory Day event, Chinese soldiers collectively chanted, “Justice will prevail! Peace will prevail! The people will prevail!” This sentiment was also echoed in the skies above as three helicopters flew overhead displaying banners emblazoned with these words.

As a key theater in World War II, China's war of resistance provided crucial strategic support for Allied operations, establishing a historical precedent for cooperation among nations. The event also saw participation from more than 20 foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, indicative of the importance of global unity.

In his address, Xi emphasized the need for countries to address the root causes of wars and take collective action to prevent historical tragedies from repeating. He asserted that security can only be achieved if nations treat each other as equals and live harmoniously, offering mutual support—for the rise and fall of humanity are interconnected.

As the world navigates through challenges, China's emphatic stand on peace is a clarion call for cooperation that resonates strongly on this historically significant day.