by Nisha Paul
- 3 September is officially designated as Victory Day in China
- Large-scale events honour immense sacrifices made during 14-year war
- Memory of war and China’s victory carefully preserved at National Museum of China
Beijing is alive with energy as China prepares to mark one of the most significant days on its calendar: the 80th anniversary of its victory over Japanese aggression during World War II.
3 September is officially designated as Victory Day in China, commemorating the end of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931–45) and the World Anti-Fascist War (World War II). While Japan formally surrendered aboard the USS Missouri on 2 September 1945, China chose the following day to mark its own victory and the conclusion of its long struggle against Japanese occupation. The date is steeped in history. The war, which began with Japan’s invasion of Manchuria in 1931 and escalated into full-scale conflict 6 years later in 1937, devastated China. Atrocities such as the Nanjing Massacre left deep wounds, killing over 300,000 people. By the time Japan surrendered, an estimated 75 million Chinese lives had been lost, roughly a quarter of the population at the time.
Professor Dr Wang Yiwei, Director of the Institute of International Affairs, describes it as “the people’s war,” telling reporters that “it was not only a military victory, but the people’s victory. China rose from devastation through unity and sacrifice.”
Each year, China holds large-scale events to honour the immense sacrifices made by its people during the 14-year war. At the heart of this year’s commemoration is a massive military parade in Tiananmen Square, in the heart of Beijing, which will feature over 30,000 Chinese Soldiers, in what is expected to be a dazzling display of the country’s latest military technology. Fighter jets, missile defence systems, and hypersonic weapons will roll across the square, the result of decades of planning and modernisation by the People’s Liberation Army. The event is drawing leaders from across the world, including Russian President Vladimir Putin. His country, then known as the Soviet Union, supported China in its fight against Japanese aggression, and played a crucial role in the final stages of the war, particularly through the 1945 Soviet campaign in Manchuria, which hastened Japan’s surrender. He will be joined by 25 other leaders from Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America, including Cuban President Miguel Díaz–Canel.
As we made our way through the city, even from the confines of our vehicles, the sense of anticipation was unmistakable. Around the historic Tiananmen Square, towering banners, bright decorations, and carefully arranged flower exhibits turned the streets into a living canvas of celebration. The square lies along Chang’an Avenue, one of Beijing’s busiest East–West main roads, stretching near the former imperial city (the old palace grounds) and the Forbidden City (the historic palace where emperors once lived), a striking reminder of how modern China remains deeply connected to its imperial past.
Over the years, the memory of the war and China’s victory has been carefully preserved at the National Museum of China, located to the east of the square, which is home to the Monument to the People’s Heroes, the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, and various statues commemorating China’s revolutionary history. As one of the largest public squares in the world, covering approximately 440,000 square meters, Tiananmen Square accommodates massive gatherings and major national events. Anniversaries like the 80th serve not only as historical remembrance but also as a celebration of the nation’s strength, resilience, and modernisation.
Watching from the sidelines, it’s hard not to draw parallels with home. Grenadians understand the importance of enduring hardship and rebuilding, whether from storms, economic struggles, or national challenges.
Excerpts from: How Grenada Won World War II – by Beverley A Steele
According to educator and historian Dr Beverley Steele, CBE, as soon as Britain entered World War II on 3 September 1939, all of her colonies, including Grenada, were similarly involved. There were Grenadians in military service through the Grenada Defence Force and the Grenada Volunteer Reserve, as well as 139 recruits that formed the Grenada Detachment of the Windward Islands Garrison of the Southern Caribbean Force, served in Grenada, and in several other islands. Some Grenadians chose to enlist in the British Armed Forces, while others served in the Canadian Armed Forces.
As small as we are, Grenada’s lighthouse at Point Salines and radio beam at Pearls airport were critical navigational aids during the war.
There’s something universal in people rising together, turning tragedy into strength and shaping their destiny. This anniversary is about more than history; it’s about the Chinese people’s resilience, pride, and ability to chart their own course. As Beijing welcomes the world leaders and other special guests on Wednesday, the city hums with the energy of a nation remembering its past while boldly looking to the future.
