Exhibition on 80th anniversary of victory against Japanese aggression draws 100,000 visitors

The exhibition commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War has received over 100,000 visitors since its opening on July 8 in Beijing. Held at the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the exhibition is titled "For National Liberation and World Peace", featuring more than 600 artifacts, including newly discovered photographs, documents, and other historical items.

Notable items include the earliest Declaration of War Against Japan issued by the Provisional Central Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic, highlighting the Communist Party of China's (CPC) leading role in initiating armed resistance of Chinese nation against Japanese militarism.

Other key exhibits, such as records from the Luochuan Conference, various editions of Mao Zedong's treatise On Protracted War, and rare footage from Yan'an, the war-time base of the CPC Central Committee, demonstrate the CPC's strategic emphasis on total resistance and protracted warfare, tracing how the Party transformed the battlefield behind the Japanese offensive into the main battlefield in the war against invasion.

"The exhibition presents a lot of physical materials, from original Luochuan Conference records to artifacts from the Hundred Regiments Offensive. It shows the tremendous strength of the Party, and the proactive role it played behind the enemy line. It impressed me deeply that the CPC was the backbone of our Chinese revolution and national liberation, whether from the perspective of self-discipline or the contributions on the battlefield," said visitor Sun Jian.

Through immersive curating and themed space designs, the exhibition vividly recreates critical battles such as the Victory at Pingxingguan and the Hundred Regiments Offensive.

"The exhibition offers a fuller, more objective account of the CPC's role in the war. By reconstructing lesser-known historical scenes, it shows how the Party mobilized the people to fight against the Japanese invaders. With rich and vivid scenarios, the exhibition presents how the battlefield behind enemy line was turned into the main battlefield against Japanese invasion, underscoring the Party's role as the central force in our nation's war of resistance," noted Hou Zhongjun, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Since its opening on July 8, the exhibition has welcomed visitors from all walks of life, drawing significant public interest. As of Saturday, the exhibition had hosted over 100,000 visitors.

"As we embark on the new journey of the new era, we will continue to make full use of the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression as a vital platform for patriotic education. By promoting the great spirit of the Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, we aim to inspire collective strength for the cause of Chinese modernization," said Luo Cunkang, curator of the museum.

Exhibition on 80th anniversary of victory against Japanese aggression draws 100,000 visitors

The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.

In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.

"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.

Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."

Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.

President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.

Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.

Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.

The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.

Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests