« My home is on the Songhua River in the northeast, where my compatriots are » « September 18th, September 18th, from that tragic time »… On September 3rd, at Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, young students passionately sang the classic anti-war song « On the Songhua River. » The moving melody resonated across the land, touching the hearts of hundreds of millions of Chinese people.

On September 18, 1931, Japanese militarists brazenly launched the September 18th Incident. After the incident, the Chinese people rose up in resistance between the white mountains and black waters, marking the beginning of the Chinese people’s War of Resistance Against Japan and simultaneously unveiling the prelude to the world’s anti-fascist war.

After 5,098 days and 14 years of arduous struggle, the Chinese people, with iron resolve, fought strong enemies and built a Great Wall with their flesh and blood, achieving the first complete victory against foreign invasion in modern times.

The great victory is immortalized in history, uniting hearts and minds to embark on a new journey.

Recently, a summary report on the commemorative activities for the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japan and the World Anti-Fascist War was reviewed. It was emphasized that we must adhere to a correct view of the history of the War of Resistance and World War II, strengthen historical confidence, draw wisdom and strength from the great victory of the whole nation’s united and heroic resistance under leadership, stand firmly on the right side of history, seize historical initiative, and continuously forge the future by learning from history.

Moving from the depths of history toward the great dream, hundreds of millions of Chinese people, united in heart and determined in spirit, steadfastly handle their own affairs, gathering immense power to advance on the new journey and achieve greatness in the new era.

The Pillar of Strength: Carrying Historical Responsibility with an Iron Backbone

In front of the September 18th History Museum in Shenyang, Liaoning, stands a giant, broken page of a calendar, freezing history on September 18, 1931. This is the museum’s iconic structure—the Broken Calendar Monument. Covered in bullet marks, the monument constantly reminds people not to forget the national humiliation and not to forget « September 18th. »

People will not forget that at the critical historical moment of national peril, responsibility was shouldered, and the call to save the nation from crisis was sounded.

Three days after the September 18th Incident, a manifesto was issued, calling on all Chinese workers and laborers to « unite and arm themselves to give a severe response to the Japanese bandits and all imperialists. » The day after the July 7th Incident, a nationwide通电 was issued, calling to « build a solid Great Wall of the national united front to resist Japanese aggression. » The July 7th Incident became the beginning of China’s nationwide War of Resistance, thus opening the Eastern main battlefield of the world anti-fascist war.

« They fought bravely on the front lines of the War of Resistance, supporting the hope for national survival and becoming the pillar of the nationwide war! » The profound explanation of the victory’s code was emphasized.

Born and raised amidst internal and external troubles, from its founding, the mission of achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has been upheld, defending national independence most firmly, safeguarding national interests most resolutely, and resisting foreign aggression most bravely.

In the Hundred Regiments Offensive, 1,824 battles were fought, dealing a heavy blow to the Japanese « cage policy » and powerfully refuting  » theories of national subjugation » and « capitulation, » showing the world the will and power of the resistance.

On July 7th this year, while visiting the exhibition at the Hundred Regiments Offensive Memorial Hall, it was profoundly pointed out: « The historical feat of the Hundred Regiments Offensive fully demonstrates the role as the mainstay in the nationwide War of Resistance and the immense power of the people’s war under leadership. »

Today, the smoke of war has long dissipated, but history has never faded away. In the perspective of time and struggle measured in centuries and millennia, the mission

Songhua River

The Songhua River is the largest tributary of the Amur River and flows through northeastern China’s Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces. Historically, it has been a vital transportation route and a cradle for ancient civilizations, including the Manchu people who established the Qing Dynasty. Today, it is a crucial source for hydroelectric power, irrigation, and a popular site for winter tourism, famous for its spectacular ice and snow scenery.

Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square is a large city square in the center of Beijing, China, named after the Tiananmen Gate (Gate of Heavenly Peace) to its north. Historically, it has been a site for mass gatherings and is flanked by significant monuments, including the Great Hall of the People and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. It is one of the world’s largest public squares and has been a central point for many historical events in modern Chinese history.

September 18th History Museum

The September 18th History Museum in Shenyang, China, commemorates the Mukden Incident of September 18, 1931, which was a staged event used as a pretext for the Japanese invasion of Manchuria. The museum, built near the site of the original bombing, serves as a memorial and an educational center documenting the history of the Japanese occupation and the subsequent resistance. Its exhibits aim to preserve the memory of this pivotal event that marked the beginning of a large-scale conflict in the lead-up to World War II.

Broken Calendar Monument

The Broken Calendar Monument is a modern sculpture located in Yerevan, Armenia, commemorating the country’s transition to the Armenian alphabet in 2005. It consists of 12 large, stone pillars arranged in a circle, each representing a month, with one pillar intentionally broken to symbolize the break from the old Julian calendar system. The monument serves as a public art piece celebrating Armenian cultural identity and linguistic heritage.

Hundred Regiments Offensive Memorial Hall

The Hundred Regiments Offensive Memorial Hall is a museum in China dedicated to the largest offensive campaign launched by the Communist Eighth Route Army against Japanese forces in North China during World War II, which took place from August to December 1940. It commemorates the history and sacrifices of the soldiers, serving as a site for patriotic education. The hall preserves historical artifacts, documents, and exhibits related to this significant military operation in the Second Sino-Japanese War.

Great Wall

The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications built across the historical northern borders of ancient Chinese states. Its construction began as early as the 7th century BC, with the most famous sections built by the Ming dynasty between the 14th and 17th centuries. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most iconic symbols of China.

White Mountains

The White Mountains are a mountain range in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, part of the northern Appalachian Mountains. They are historically significant as a major barrier to early colonial expansion and are famed for the notches, or mountain passes, carved by glaciers. The region is now a popular destination for outdoor recreation and is home to Mount Washington, which has some of the most extreme weather on Earth.

Black Waters

« Black Waters » likely refers to the Heihe River in China, whose name translates directly to « Black River. » Historically, it was a significant geographical and cultural boundary, often marking the frontier of Chinese civilization. Its waters appear dark due to the rich silt and vegetation, and it has been a vital resource for agriculture and settlement in the region for centuries.