The press center of Commemoration of 80th Anniversary of Victory in Chinese People's Resistance against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War holds a press conference in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 31, 2025. Ma Feixiong, vice minister of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, and Sun Deli, deputy head of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, introduced newly designated memorial facilities and historical sites related to the War of Resistance, and a new list of heroes from the war at the press conference. (Photo: Xinhua)

The press center of Commemoration of 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and World Anti-Fascist War held the 3rd press conference in Beijing on Sunday. The War of Resistance relics contain rich stories of the war and embody the great spirit of resistance against Japanese aggression, Sun Deli, deputy head of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, said at the press briefing. 

Cultural relics are the tangible and visible history. Every historical photograph and precious item silently narrate the brutal and heinous crimes of Japanese militarism, vividly showcasing the glorious history of the Communist Party of China leading the anti-Japanese military and civilians in uniting against the enemy and bravely resisting foreign aggression, said Sun.

More than 10,000 immovable cultural relics and over 500,000 pieces or sets of movable relics themed around the war have been confirmed across China, according to Sun.

Meanwhile, the protection framework for war relics has been established, and the system of war memorial museums has been completed. From 2021 to 2025, China has built, renovated or extended nearly 20 memorial halls, and upgraded the exhibitions of over 50 memorial halls themed around the war, according to Sun.

Also, more than 500 exhibitions themed around the War of Resistance are held nationwide every year, attracting more than 60 million visits to memorial facilities and sites. 

A total of 96 historical war sites and memorial facilities have been listed as national patriotic education bases, said Sun. Many of the sites and memorial facilities now serve multiple roles, including as centers for revolutionary tradition education, national defense education and field study for school students, according to Sun. 

Experts told the Global Times that strengthening the protection of war of resistance relics is crucial to honoring history, promoting peace and reinforcing national spirit.

Zhang Shiwei, a professor from School of History of Wuhan University, underscored the essential role of the War of Resistance exhibitions in sustaining national memory. Zhang told the Global Times on Sunday that the memory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression is not only foundational to China's national identity, but also central to the spirit of resilience and patriotism. Such exhibitions, especially for youth, offer irreplaceable historical and moral education.

On Saturday, a special exhibition showcasing relics excavated from sites associated with the Northeast United Resistance Army kicked off at the Museum of the Communist Party of China in Beijing. 

Meng Qingxu, a deputy research fellow at the Jilin Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology who participated in designing the exhibition, told the Global Times on Sunday that every generation has its own responsibilities. 

"The soldiers of the Northeast United Resistance Army fulfilled their responsibilities to safeguard our country, and today we must fulfill ours, which is excavating, protecting and inheriting the army's sites well," said Meng.

A total of 294 national-level memorial facilities and sites on the War of Resistance have been announced in four batches, along with 1,128 renowned heroes, martyrs and heroic groups, according to Ma Feixiong, vice minister of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, at the press briefing.

The country has promoted the relocation of over 77,000 scattered martyr graves to martyr cemeteries, Ma said.