European experts' view of China's role in WWII
- By Liu Zuokui
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E-mail China.org.cn, September 1, 2015
Central and eastern European countries are still under the influence of major powers such as the United States, which does not consider it appropriate to participate because Europe is facing multiple crises and doesn't need any distractions.
Also an important point, is the Russian factor. President Vladimir Putin will appear at the September 3 celebrations in China. Because of the crisis in Ukraine, central and eastern European countries think Russia is using the legitimacy of its role as a victor in WWII to continue wanton violation of their sovereignty, damaging their legitimate rights and interests. So, they don't think it an appropriate time to attend the occasion.
Mart Laanemets, chairman of the Association of Oriental Studies, Tartu University, said that China was undoubtedly a main force in the World Anti-Fascist War against Japan in the Far East battlefield. For much of the outside world, it seems that the United States and the Soviet Union won the war in the East. In fact, without China's full participation, they could have hardly achieved Japan's unconditional surrender.
China has been on the rise in becoming a world power since WWII, and, through the war, also learned a great many truths in maintaining its development and stability. Even though the image of China is blighted by Western media outlets due to its political system and ideologies, the country understands a universal truth, that only by being powerful can one win respect. The Communist Party of China (CPC) seems to have grasped the main aspect of their problems and has won the respect of the international community.
Laanemets said it was not difficult to understand why most central and Eastern European countries don't participate in China's commemorative activities. The Oriental battlefield was relatively far from them and was not a significant region of interest during the war. Like Lauri, he also mentioned the desire to avoid Russia, exacerbated by the crisis in Ukraine.
The author is an associate professor and deputy head of the Department of Central and Eastern European Studies at the Institute of European Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
The article was written in Chinese and translated by Li Jingrong.
Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
