Beijing Launches Press Briefings to Mark 80th Anniversary of Victory Over Japan and Boost Diplomatic Narrative

The event, formally titled the “Press Conference for the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti‑Fascist War,” was organized by the News Center for the Commemoration of the anniversary. Over the next few months, the center will host three press conferences and three press meetings, each intended to showcase how the historic triumph continues to shape contemporary Chinese society, culture, and foreign policy.

High‑ranking officials, including representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, and the State Administration of Press, Radio, Film and Television, addressed the media. Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who had first highlighted the upcoming commemoration during a journalists’ meeting on March 7, 2025 at the 14th National People’s Congress’s third session, reiterated Beijing’s intention to “grandly celebrate the victory of the anti‑fascist war and to reaffirm China’s unwavering commitment to peace, historical truth and international cooperation.”

Wang’s remarks underscored the diplomatic dimension of the anniversary. In recent years, Beijing has leveraged the narrative of its wartime contribution to foster ties with former allies and to counter what it calls “historical revisionism” by neighboring states. The press briefings are therefore expected to dovetail with a broader diplomatic push that includes cultural exchanges — such as a forthcoming World War II exhibition in Moscow — and joint statements at multilateral venues like the United Nations, which itself turns 80 this year.

The timing of the meetings reflects a carefully choreographed agenda. By spacing three briefings across the summer and autumn, the state media apparatus can sustain public attention on the milestone while providing fresh material for documentaries, books, and educational programmes. Industry analysts note that such sustained coverage typically fuels demand in the cultural and tourism sectors: historic sites linked to the anti‑Japanese war, museums, and themed tours have already reported a spike in visitor interest ahead of the anniversary, a trend that could translate into a measurable boost for local economies.

Beyond the economic ripple effects, the commemorations carry a potent social purpose. Officials emphasized “red education” and “inheritance of the spirit” in their speeches, framing the anniversary as a vehicle for patriotic education among younger generations. Initiatives to trace the families of wartime figures — such as the recent effort to locate descendants of celebrated soldier Yi Yuanxun — are being publicised alongside the press events, reinforcing a narrative of continuity between past sacrifices and present national vitality.

While official channels have projected a unified, celebratory tone, early indicators of public sentiment on Chinese social media platforms remain sparse. No comprehensive sentiment analysis was available at the time of writing, and Weibo searches for reactions specifically to the August 29 press conference yielded limited results. Observers caution that the absence of visible dissent does not necessarily reflect a lack of private debate, but it does suggest that the state’s control over the narrative remains effective during the rollout of the commemorative programme.

The press conference also hinted at future policy reflections. Themes of “facing history squarely” and “opening up the future” were interwoven into speeches, signalling a willingness to link historical memory with contemporary governance challenges, from national security to international partnership. By anchoring present‑day policy in the triumph over fascism, Beijing hopes to reinforce the legitimacy of its current leadership and to project a stable, peace‑oriented image on the world stage.

As the first briefing concluded, journalists were handed a schedule of upcoming events, including a second press conference slated for early October at the same venue, and a public exhibition tour that will travel to major Chinese cities and select foreign capitals. The series is designed to maintain a sustained media flow, ensuring that the 80th anniversary of the anti‑Japanese war remains a focal point of domestic discourse and a conduit for Beijing’s diplomatic outreach in the final months of 2025.