Xi Jinping’s War‑Memorial Pilgrimages Bolster Party Legitimacy and Spark Tourism Growth

At the centre of the campaign is Xi Jinping, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC). When Xi steps onto a hilltop monument in Fujian, lays a wreath at the Hundred Regiments Offensive Memorial in Shanxi or tours a museum in Beijing, the image is broadcast to millions of citizens and to the world. These moments are more than ceremonial; they reaffirm the Party’s claim to be the guardian of China’s historic struggle against foreign aggression and, by extension, the architect of the country's contemporary resurgence.

Politically, the visits serve a dual purpose. First, they reinforce the narrative that the CPC, not the pre‑1949 Nationalist government, led the nation’s resistance to Japan. By foregrounding the Party’s wartime sacrifices, the leadership bolsters its legitimacy in the present day, presenting a continuous thread from the battlefield to the modern “Chinese Dream.” Second, the timing of the trips—often aligned with significant anniversaries such as the 80th anniversary of victory in September 2025 or the National Memorial Day for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre on December 13—creates a rhythm of remembrance that dovetails with broader patriotic education campaigns in schools and the media. The result is a steady infusion of historical pride into everyday discourse, encouraging citizens, especially younger generations, to view the Party as the essential link between past hardships and future prosperity.

The social dimension of the initiative is equally potent. War memorials are emotionally charged spaces, and when a leader of Xi’s stature visits them, the public response is immediate and widespread. Images of solemn wreath‑laying ceremonies circulate on platforms such as Weibo and Douyin, prompting citizens to share personal family stories, letters from “victory families,” and reflections on regional contributions to the war effort. In Fujian, for example, officials recently highlighted the province’s role in the resistance, prompting a surge of local pride and renewed interest in preserving community archives. Such mobilization of sentiment can be tapped by the government to rally support for a range of policies, from strengthening national defense to advancing large‑scale infrastructure projects that improve access to these heritage sites.

Even the economy feels a subtle shift. The intensified focus on memorial locations has spurred investment in tourism infrastructure—new visitor centres, upgraded transport links, and high‑tech exhibition halls that blend virtual reality with traditional displays. Construction firms, hospitality operators and local artisans producing commemorative memorabilia stand to benefit from the increased footfall. Meanwhile, the cultural and creative industries receive a boost as filmmakers, documentary makers and publishers are encouraged to produce content that aligns with the official historical narrative, further entrenching the Party’s version of events within popular culture.

Recent developments illustrate the campaign’s ongoing vigor. On July 7, 2025, Xi visited Yangquan in Shanxi Province, where he personally laid a wreath at the monument commemorating the Hundred Regiments Offensive and toured the accompanying memorial hall. Just a week later, a delegation led by senior officials inspected war‑memory sites in Fujian, emphasizing the province’s grassroots contributions during the conflict. These visits were not isolated incidents; they are part of an orchestrated schedule that has been in place since the 18th Party Congress, when Xi began to make regular pilgrimages to revolutionary and wartime landmarks a hallmark of his public engagement.

The systematic nature of the visits underscores a broader strategy. By repeatedly linking current leadership with historic struggles, the Party cultivates a sense of unbroken continuity, positioning itself as both the heir to past heroism and the driver of future rejuvenation. This narrative is carefully curated: it amplifies the CPC’s wartime role while downplaying or omitting contributions from other groups, thereby shaping collective memory in a way that reinforces the Party’s ideological dominance.

In sum, “Following the General Secretary into the Anti‑Japanese War Memorials” is far more than a series of ceremonial trips. It is a sophisticated instrument of statecraft that intertwines political legitimacy, national identity, public sentiment and modest economic incentives. As China approaches the 80th anniversary of its wartime victory later this year, the campaign will likely intensify, further cementing the Party’s claim to be the guardian of the nation’s past and the architect of its future.