The launch ceremony for a new book titled "A New History of World War II" was held in Athens, Greece on Thursday alongside an international academic symposium themed "Rebirth from the Ashes: Civilization and War," bringing together scholars from across the world to exchange insights on research into the history of World War II (WWII).
The event aims to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, show China's latest research findings on WWII, strengthen international academic exchanges in this area, promote sharing of academic resources, and encourage mutual learning of research methodologies.
Jointly organized by the Institute of World History under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the Chinese School of Classical Studies in Athens, the event was attended by over 60 scholars from across the world.
Many participants said the publication of "A New History of World War II" will foster in-depth discussion by historians and social scientists and help readers gain a more comprehensive understanding of the profound influences of WWII on the world today.
"We in the West have not realized people who read histories (traditional histories) of the Second World War do not understand that the contribution of the Chinese people to the outcome of the war was much more significant than they would imagine. This is something that the book helps us realize very well and we should not forget that. This really means that the courage of the Chinese also helped people in the West fight the war there and eventually prevail and win," said Stelios Virvidakis, a professor at the University of Athens and former president of the Center of Greek and Chinese Ancient Civilizations.
"China's role in determining the outcome of World War II has been focal and this was a decisive contribution to the war effort. Chinese soldiers fought against the Japanese invaders. So, in a sense, the eastern theater of the war, let's call this, like this, was decisive in determining the outcome of World War II like the European theaters," said Ioannis Kotoulas, an adjunct lecturer in geopolitics at the University of Athens.
Book launch, symposium held in Athens to mark WWII anniversary
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
