Chinese Military Media Marks War Anniversary With Warnings Over Japan

On the 81st anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Chinese state and military media outlets published an authoritative commentary framing historical defense lessons as central to the People's Liberation Army's modern combat readiness. Carried by China Military Online and People's Daily, the text cited warnings from Mao Zedong and President Xi Jinping to emphasize that national strength depends on military capabilities. The piece specifically criticized Japanese defense developments, accusing right-wing elements of attempting to breach postwar pacifist constraints through increased spending and arms exports.

The commentary demonstrates how Beijing leverages historical wartime narratives to justify ongoing military modernization and posture against regional security shifts. By explicitly pointing to Japan's growing defense budget, offensive capabilities, and loosened arms export restrictions, Chinese military organs are framing their push toward the PLA's 2027 centenary goals not merely as routine modernization, but as a necessary strategic counterweight to changes in the postwar regional order.

On the 81st anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the end of World War II, Chinese official military and state media reiterated the strategic imperative of military strength, pairing historical reflections with sharp warnings regarding contemporary Japanese defense policy. The commentary, published by China Military Online and cross-posted by the People's Daily, framed the September 3 milestone as both a celebration of victory and an ongoing warning for peace. The text anchored China's defense imperative in the historical trauma of foreign invasion, asserting that pre-1945 China suffered catastrophic devastation primarily because the nation was impoverished, weak, and outmatched in national and military power. To underline the foundational role of the armed forces, the commentary drew directly upon core political doctrines across eras. It cited Mao Zedong's 1945 political report, "On Coalition Government," which declared that "without a people's army, the people have nothing." It paired this with remarks delivered by President Xi Jinping on September 3, 2025, during the 80th anniversary commemoration, where Xi affirmed that the People's Liberation Army remains an entirely trustworthy heroic force for the Party and the people. According to the text, building a strong nation requires building a strong military, with primary focus placed on combat readiness and the capability to win wars. The article reiterated the urgency of meeting the goals set for the centenary of the PLA's founding, calling on military personnel to maintain strategic vigilance and hone fighting capabilities to underpin Chinese modernization. The piece turned its attention outward to regional dynamics, warning of risks in an evolving international landscape. It specifically criticized right-wing forces in Japan, arguing that Tokyo's ruling authorities are attempting to break through the postwar pacifist framework. The commentary highlighted several developments in Japan as dangerous trends, including continuous increases in defense budgets, the loosening of restrictions on lethal arms exports, the expansion of offensive military assets, and domestic calls for Japan to become a state capable of waging war. Chinese official media characterized these shifts as manifestations of historical revisionism that challenge the post-World War II international order.