Beijing echoed with history on Wednesday as Chinese Premier Li Qiang launched commemorations for the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The event blended solemnity and symbolism, with 80 thunderous gun salutes – one for each year since peace prevailed – shaking the capital's skies.
Thousands gathered at Tian'anmen Square for a sunrise flag-raising ceremony, where the national flag fluttered against a backdrop of renewed reflections on wartime sacrifices. 🌅 The anniversary highlights China's role in the global fight against fascism, a chapter Premier Li called "a testament to unity and resilience" in his address.
While fireworks lit up evening skies, state media shared archival footage of 1945 victory celebrations – a nod to younger audiences more familiar with TikTok than trench warfare. 📱💥 The commemoration comes amid rising global interest in WWII' Pacific theater, with Gen-Z historians flocking to viral threads about lesser-known battles.
