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

A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.

Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.

In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.

"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.

Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.

In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.

"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.

By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.

After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.

"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.

Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.

As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.

Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media