A British young man has discovered the preciousness of peace while studying history of China's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, urging the world to learn from the past and reflect on the brutality of wars.
British youth Alexey Lysenko is currently working and living in China. During his stay, he has visited Shanghai, Nanjing, Shenyang and other cities where fierce battles occurred and ordinary people suffered from the Japanese aggression, and was deeply moved by the extraordinary efforts and tremendous sacrifices made by the Chinese people.
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. With respect for the occasion, Lysenko said in an interview program by China Global Television Network (CGTN) that the sacrifices made by the Chinese people must be reflected and passed on.
"As far as I know, China's resistance against Japan lasted for more than a decade, from 1931 to 1945, and was a major front in the global fight against fascism. The Battle of Songhu, which happened in 1937, and the brutal Nanjing Massacre are one of the greatest examples of China's suffering and resilience. Despite immense losses, Chinese resistance tied down Japanese forces, contributing significantly to the Allied victory. And also, I've been to Shenyang and visited the 918 Historical Museum, which I think is a very powerful place to help people remember history and understand the true value of peace. History teaches us the importance of standing up to injustice, valuing human dignity and protecting freedom. It also shows how unity across nations, cultures and ideologies can overcome even the darkest forces. The sacrifices made reminds us that the peace is not passive. It's something we must actively preserve through education, empathy and vigilance," he said.
According to the young man, remembering history is about more than honoring the past, but about shaping a better future while learning never to take peace for granted.
"I hope for a future where nations prioritize dialogue over dominance and where technology, education and shared values help bridge divides. In my opinion, peace means fairness, respect and cooperation. Peace begins with individuals, how we treat each other, how we resolve conflict, and how we choose compassion over hatred. If we carry forward the lessons of history, we can create a world where peace isn't just a hope, it's a shared reality. And my hope is that future generations inherit not just lessons of war, but the wisdom to prevent it. A peaceful world isn't a dream, it's a goal worth striving for together," said Lysenko.
China's war of resistance against Japanese aggression should be remembered for sake of peace: British youth
