China Revives “Commemorate War‑Resistance Martyrs” Campaign, Tying WWII Remembrance to Modern Patriotism and Party Ideology

The most common English renderings of “缅怀抗战先烈” include “commemorate the martyrs of the War of Resistance,” “cherish the memory of the martyrs,” and “honor the revolutionary martyrs who died in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.” All three capture the official tone that pervades government statements, news reports, and school curricula when the subject is raised.

From national narratives to local streets

The latest public references date from August 2025. On August 6, 2025, a government communiqué linked the act of “缅怀先烈” with broader themes such as “China’s achievements,” “the community of shared future for mankind,” “Marxist ideological education,” and the “Belt and Road spirit.” The same day also invoked “Xi Jinping Thought,” suggesting that remembrance of wartime heroes is now a cornerstone of the Party’s ideological framework. A month earlier, on July 19, 2025, the slogan “铭记历史 缅怀先烈” (“Remember history, commemorate martyrs”) appeared alongside language about the “unswerving implementation of the Central Committee’s eight‑point regulations” and the drive to “deeply deepen reforms and open up broad prospects for Chinese modernization.” These examples illustrate how the memory of the anti‑Japanese war is being woven into the fabric of contemporary governance and development goals.

At the grassroots level, the commemoration has taken on a more intimate shape. On November 27, 2024, the Nan Qu Sub‑district organized a series of events for the “September 30” Martyrs’ Memorial Day, branding the activities as “patriotic education” and a means to “inherit the red gene” and “promote revolutionary spirit.” A similar focus on individual heroes emerged on November 23, 2024, when a media piece highlighted the story of Liao Haitao, a soldier who “gave up home for righteousness” in the bloody battles at Tangma. Such local initiatives echo the long‑standing practice of linking personal sacrifice to collective identity.

A timeline of remembrance

The practice of honoring the war’s martyrs is not new. The first major wave of official commemoration can be traced to August 17, 2015, when China marked the 70th anniversary of the victory of the People’s War of Resistance against Japanese aggression and the broader World Anti‑Fascist War. That year, speeches emphasized the need to “never forget the fascist aggression” and to remember the “immortal achievements” of those who perished. By December 13, 2022, the focus had broadened to include the victims of the Nanjing Massacre, reinforcing the narrative that the war’s tragedy encompassed both civilian and military sacrifice.

From 2023 onward, the theme of “缅怀抗战先烈” has been deliberately integrated into campaigns promoting Chinese modernization, patriotic education, and even the development of a “modern military by 2027.” The language has shifted from solemn remembrance to a tool for nation‑building, linking the past’s hardships to present aspirations for strength and global leadership.

Heroes, stories, and cultural resonance

The public’s engagement with the commemoration is driven as much by storytelling as by ceremony. Social media platforms such as Weibo have become repositories of personal anecdotes about wartime figures. Posts recount the bravery of General Chen Anbao, who donated his savings to rebuild a school; the daring exploits of Ye Chenghuan, who fought fiercely on the front lines; and the legacy of the “Liu Laozhuang Company,” a unit of 82 soldiers whose fate still inspires research and remembrance. The tale of “Little Flower” (Xiaohua), a young girl whose memory lives on in songs and poems, and the decades‑long guardianship of Li Aiyun, who watched over her brother’s mausoleum, illustrate how the war’s human dimension continues to resonate across generations.

Music, too, remains a conduit for collective memory. The “Yellow River Cantata,” the “Northeast Anti‑Japanese United Army First Road Army Military Song,” and other wartime ballads still echo in public squares and school assemblies, reinforcing a sense of shared sacrifice and national pride.

Why remembrance matters today

The act of “缅怀抗战先烈” serves multiple functions in contemporary China. Politically, it reinforces national unity and the legitimacy of the Communist Party, which positions itself as the architect of the anti‑Japanese victory. By framing the war as part of the “global anti‑fascist struggle,” officials also seek to bolster China’s standing in international discussions on peace and governance, countering any attempts at historical revisionism.

Socially, the commemorations act as moral education, instilling values of sacrifice, bravery, and patriotism—especially among youth. The recurring slogan “铭记历史、缅怀先烈、珍爱和平、开创未来” (“Remember history, commemorate martyrs, cherish peace, and create the future”) encapsulates the intent to translate past lessons into present civic virtues. Community events, from wreath‑laying ceremonies at memorials to district‑level exhibitions, foster social cohesion and a collective memory that binds citizens together.

Economically, the remembrance drives cultural tourism and the production of educational content. Sites such as the “Hundred‑Regiment Battle Memorial Square” and the “Pingbei Anti‑Japanese War Museum” attract visitors, while documentaries, films, and digital archives proliferate, creating a niche market for historical media. Technological initiatives—virtual museums, online archives, and interactive platforms—have also emerged, reflecting a modern approach to preserving and sharing the war’s legacy.

A living legacy

For many Chinese, the phrase “缅怀抗战先烈” is more than a historical footnote; it is a call to remember a period when the nation faced existential threat and emerged through collective resolve. The emphasis on peace—“people who have experienced war understand the preciousness of peace even more”—underscores a desire to translate the sacrifices of the past into a future defined by stability and harmony.

In the months ahead, as anniversaries approach and new stories surface, the act of commemorating the anti‑Japanese war martyrs will likely continue to evolve, shaping public consciousness, informing policy, and inspiring cultural expression. The reverence shown in official speeches, local ceremonies, and personal narratives alike demonstrates that the memory of those who fought and died remains a vital thread in the tapestry of modern Chinese identity.