Safeguarding Historical Memory, Gathering the Power of Justice (Remembering History, Creating the Future)

August 5, 2025, 6:08 AM | Source: People's Daily Online - People's Daily

At the "Remembering Heroes - Commemorating the Flying Tigers and Doolittle Raiders Photo Exhibition" held at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. 　　Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Liu Jie

Foreign diplomats stationed in China visit the "For National Liberation and World Peace" themed exhibition at the China People's Anti-Japanese War Memorial Hall 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. 　　Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Yehua

A young boy visits the Victory Museum in Russia. 　　Courtesy of the Victory Museum of Russia

Malaysian teachers and students visit the Penang War Museum. 　　Courtesy of the Penang War Museum, Malaysia

In September 2024, the China People's Anti-Japanese War Memorial Hall and the Brest Fortress Memorial Museum of Belarus jointly launched a special exhibition on the "History of the Brest Fortress" in Beijing. 　　Courtesy of the International World War II Museum Association

Exterior view of the China People's Anti-Japanese War Memorial Hall. 　　Photo by Song Jiaru (People's Vision)

　　This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The smoke of war has long since dissipated, but historical memory will not fade. World War II museums and memorial halls around the world serve as vivid historical textbooks, using physical remains, scene recreations, and diverse narratives to help people understand the history of World War II, promote the correct understanding of World War II history, safeguard historical memory, gather the forces of justice, and jointly maintain world peace.

　　Victory Museum of Russia -

　　"Promoting the correct understanding of World War II history is our shared responsibility"

　　Reporter Xiao Xinxin

　　"Promoting the correct understanding of World War II history is our shared responsibility." Alexander Shkolnik, director of the Victory Museum of Russia, said that the peoples of Russia and China made tremendous sacrifices for the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. Jointly commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War is a tribute to the great historical contributions and heroic deeds of the two peoples. "We must let future generations remember history and prevent similar historical tragedies from recurring."

　　Originally named the "Central Museum of the Great Patriotic War," the Victory Museum of Russia is located in Victory Square on Poklonnaya Hill in Moscow. It is Russia's largest military museum dedicated to commemorating the victory of the Great Patriotic War and the history of World War II. Founded in 1985, the Victory Museum officially opened on May 9, 1995, the 50th anniversary of the victory of the Great Patriotic War. It currently holds more than 900 themed events annually, with over one million visitors.

　　The Victory Museum has an exhibition area of approximately 17,000 square meters, with main permanent exhibition areas such as "The Road to Victory" and "The People's Merit," as well as themed exhibition halls such as the "Hall of Honor," "Hall of Historical Truth," "Hall of Victory Faces," "Hall of Memory and Sorrow," and "Hall of Commanders." It houses hundreds of thousands of military, historical, and cultural artifacts. Many of the artifacts are selfless donations from Russian citizens and museums across the country.

　　In the "Hall of Victory Faces," chains hanging from the ceiling and numerous black and white portraits silently tell the story of the shared fate of individuals and the nation during that tragic period. Today, every Russian can come here to upload photos and information of their relatives who participated in the Great Patriotic War. More than one million photos have been uploaded so far.

　　"Together with our younger colleagues, we have carried out a large amount of patriotic and historical and cultural education work, making extensive use of new technologies such as multimedia. Through methods that young people easily accept, we make exhibits and historical details vividly presented, thus better showcasing the historical truth." Shkolnik said that the Victory Museum, as an important cultural facility that tells the story of the Great Patriotic War and the World Anti-Fascist War, has now become a bridge connecting history and the present.

　　In the message area of the Victory Museum, visitors from China, both individuals and groups, often leave messages in Chinese, sharing their thoughts and feelings after their visit. Words such as "history," "remember," "glory," and "commemoration" are frequently used. Shkolnik said that the peoples of Russia and China once fought side by side and forged a deep friendship, sharing a common historical memory of the World Anti-Fascist War. This precious memory and friendship remain a solid foundation for bilateral relations and cooperation.

　　"From 1931 onwards, the Chinese people stubbornly resisted Japanese militarist aggression for 14 years. The Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression contained and weakened the Japanese army, preventing it from transferring to other fronts such as the Soviet Union." Shkolnik said that the Chinese military and civilians fought tirelessly under extremely difficult conditions, demonstrating extraordinary resilience and courage. With tremendous national sacrifice, they supported the main battlefield of the World Anti-Fascist War in the East and ultimately defeated the Japanese aggressors. The Communist Party of China consistently advocated for a nationwide war of resistance and led the Chinese people in establishing the broadest possible anti-Japanese national united front. "This made it possible to unite and mobilize all forces to fight against the aggressors, strengthened the determination and confidence of the Chinese people to win the war of resistance, and played a crucial role in the victory of the war of resistance."

　　In September this year, the Victory Museum plans to hold an exhibition at the China People's Anti-Japanese War Memorial Hall, and the China People's Anti-Japanese War Memorial Hall will also hold a special exhibition at the Victory Museum. Shkolnik said that against the backdrop of current international instability and challenges to the post-war international order, Russia and China's firm commitment to upholding the achievements of World War II, defending historical truth, and practicing multilateralism is of great significance. "The international community must be wary of attempts to distort and falsify the history of World War II and deny the historical contributions of Russia and China. We believe that Russia and China will continue to work hand in hand to make new contributions to the cause of world peace, security, and prosperity."

　　Penang War Museum, Malaysia -

　　"I hope they see more than just the cruelty of war"

　　Reporter Bai Yuanqi

　　On Batu Maung Hill in southeastern Penang Island, winding up a mountain road through the tropical jungle, past an old fort, the gold-lettered English words "War Museum" above the main entrance of the Penang War Museum are eye-catching. On the signboard outside the museum, the words "Remember history, cherish peace, commemorate martyrs, create the future" are written in both Chinese and English.

　　The Penang War Museum, situated on an 80,000-square-meter former military site, is the largest open-air war museum in Southeast Asia. Once a British naval fortress, it was occupied by the Japanese during World War II and used as a concentration camp for prisoners of war and civilians. The museum's founder, Johari, heard stories of the war from his youth. In the 1990s, he visited war memorials in several European and American countries, inspiring him to create a museum to tell the story of Southeast Asian resistance against Japan. "I felt someone had to do this," Johari said. He poured his savings into the project, raised funds, organized over 60 workers, and spent seven years clearing, restoring, and initially constructing the site.

　　The Penang War Museum officially opened in 2002. With the help of the Penang Veterans Association, many descendants of World War II victims and researchers contacted the museum, donating family heirlooms and related materials. Nearby residents also returned items found on the site. As the cleanup progressed, the exhibition area expanded. "During holidays, many parents bring their children to visit, and many schools organize student visits," Johari said. "Children represent the future, and I hope they see not only the cruelty of war but also reflect on how to safeguard peace."

　　Entering the museum, visitors encounter a straight exhibition corridor. On the right, there are timelines of the Japanese occupation of Malaya (precursor to Malaysia), information about war criminals, and various weapons and uniforms, creating a solemn atmosphere that underscores the weight of history. In the middle of the corridor is a tunnel that only allows one person to pass through bent over. At the end of the tunnel is an old armory, with photographs of the 1942 Japanese air raid on Penang on the walls. The pictures show the ruins of George Town's old city and people fleeing in terror. "Many citizens fled to the mountains to seek refuge, including my ancestors. To avoid dishonor, the women in our family cut their hair," Johari said in a low, slow voice.

　　"We thought the most dangerous thing in the mountains were poisonous snakes, but the war's scars were far more frightening." Amar, a worker who participated in the museum's construction, pointed to an interrogation room near the artillery platform. The walls are riddled with bullet holes from the Japanese executions. "Many of us couldn't sleep after seeing it." Ikwan, a tourist from Kedah, Malaysia, said, "The textbooks don't cover this period in much detail, but the photos and artifacts here allow me to truly understand the cruelty of war."

　　To ensure these painful memories serve as a warning to more people and have a broader impact, the Penang War Museum has actively engaged in international cooperation in recent years. It joined the International World War II Museum Association, initiated by China, and collaborates with institutions from various countries to promote peace and preserve historical memory. Moon, the museum's assistant curator, spent six months in China studying exhibition techniques. "The collection of materials at the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression Memorial Hall is comprehensive. We have incorporated more survivor testimonies and textual descriptions to enrich our exhibition," he said.

　　In November 2024, the Penang War Museum and the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression Memorial Hall jointly held an exhibition of art from the War of Resistance. Over 230 Chinese paintings, prints, and cartoons were displayed in a prominent area of the museum, serving as a testament to the two countries' commitment to remembering history and building peace. Chen Shi Cheng, a Malaysian scholar of modern Chinese history, provided academic support for the exhibition. He noted that China's prolonged resistance effectively tied down the main Japanese forces, awakened the national consciousness of overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia, and prompted widespread participation in supporting China's war effort and anti-Japanese movements. "This history cannot be ignored. By learning from history and fostering friendship, countries can deepen research into the history of the war of resistance and jointly hold commemorative events, which will powerfully promote the concept of peace in people's hearts."

　　People’s Daily (August 5, 2025, p. 17)