China releases sixth batch of national archival heritage documents

China unveiled its sixth batch of National Archival Heritage Documents on Monday, coinciding with International Archives Day.

The newly listed 52 items include historical records of the Hundred Regiments Offensive, the Red Flag Canal irrigation project, and Han Dynasty bamboo slips from Yinqueshan tombs.

With this addition, China now has 250 archival documents recognized as national heritage since the program's launch in 2000. The initiative focuses on preserving and utilizing valuable historical records, with several Chinese entries like Oracle Bone Inscriptions already included in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Among the newly listed wartime documents, one set of files is of special significance - 33 documents detailing the the Hundred Regiments Offensive.

The Hundred Regiments Offensive (August 1940–January 1941) marked the largest strategic operation by China's Eighth Route Army during World War II. This decisive campaign, involving 105 regiments led by the Communist Party of China, delivered a major blow to Japanese forces across North China through 1,824 engagements, inflicting over 20,000 enemy casualties.

Launched at the war's most critical juncture, the offensive not only disrupted Japanese military operations but also revitalized the morale of China's resistance during the anti-fascist struggle. The operation demonstrated the Eighth Route Army's growing combat capability and became a turning point in the war behind enemy lines.

The archives contain urgent action orders and strategic deployments that show the Eighth Route Army's precise military planning.

"This document, issued on August 26, 1940, states: 'We have decided to name this campaign the Hundred Regiments Offensive,'" said Gui Tengfei from the Central Archives.

The documents vividly portray nationwide resistance through records of troop deployments, frontline reports, and civilian contributions including food supplies for soldiers.

"The archives reveal that in Jinzhong region alone, over 10,000 militiamen were mobilized. Local villagers supported troops by providing vegetables, poultry, sheep, fried flour and other supplies. These records vividly transport us back to that revolutionary era, showcasing the united front between our military and civilians, a moving historical tableau of shared resolve against the enemy," Gui said.

The archival collection serves as crucial historical evidence and promotes cultural heritage preservation efforts in China.

China releases sixth batch of national archival heritage documents

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday that the issues between Afghanistan and Pakistan can only be resolved through dialogue and consultation.

The use of force would only complicate the situation and intensify the contradictions, which would be of no benefit to either side and threatens regional peace and stability, he said.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a phone conversation with Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi at the latter's request.

Muttaqi thanked China for its active efforts in mediating the conflicts between Afghanistan and Pakistan, noting that the Afghan people, who have suffered greatly from war, cherish the opportunities for peace and development.

The Afghan foreign minister said his country wants to be a source of regional peace rather than unrest, reaffirming that its territory will not be used to attack neighboring countries.

Afghanistan does not wish to engage in military conflict with other countries, and looks forward to mutual trust and friendly coexistence with neighboring countries, he said.

The Afghan side believes that dialogue and consultation are the only way to resolve issues and looks forward to China, as a major country and a friendly neighbor, playing a greater role, he said.

For his part, Wang said that the more volatile the external environment becomes, the more countries in the region should strengthen unity and cooperation, overcome difficulties together, and forge a path of cooperative security and common security.

Afghanistan and Pakistan are inseparable brothers and neighbors that cannot be moved away from each other, he said.

China has always maintained an objective and impartial stance on the conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Wang said.

The special envoy on Afghan affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry is shuttling between the two countries to mediate, he said, adding that it is hoped that both sides will keep calm and exercise restraint, have face-to-face exchanges at an early date, achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible, and resolve differences and contradictions through dialogue.

China is willing to continue to make active efforts to help achieve reconciliation and detente between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Wang said.

The two sides also exchanged views on the situation in Iran.

Wang reaffirmed China's principled position, stating that China is willing to work with the international community, including Afghanistan, to further play a constructive role in striving for peace.

Chinese FM calls for resolving issues between Afghanistan and Pakistan through dialogue, consultation