This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The thematic exhibition, “For National Liberation and World Peace”, is open to the public at the Museum of the War of Chinese People’s Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (hereinafter referred to as “the Museum”) in Beijing, with a continuous stream of visitors from both home and abroad. Many pause in solemn reflection at the site of the outbreak of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, paying tribute to history and honoring the fallen heroes.

Photo by: Museum of the War of Chinese People’s Resistance Against Japanese Aggression

In September 2015, the International WWII Museum Association (IWMA) was established through a joint initiative of the Museum and the Victory Museum of Russia. As a non-governmental international organization composed of revolutionary museums, the IWMA is dedicated to opposing war and safeguarding peace. It actively fosters professional exchanges among its members, advances the study and dissemination of WWII history, strengthens the protection and utilization of WWII historical and cultural heritage, and upholds historical truth through collective efforts.

In recent years, the Museum, serving as the secretariat of the association, has organized a series of events in Beijing, such as the Forum for Curators of International WWII Museums on Commemorating the 80thAnniversary of the Outbreak of the War of Chinese People’s Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the International WWII Museum Association’s exhibition of cultural and creative works. These initiatives have provided a shared platform for commemoration and exchanges, aiming to enhance the international community’s understanding of WWII history and allow the concept of peace to take deeper root in people’s hearts.

Looking ahead, the association will strengthen cooperation with Beijing, aligning with the city’s efforts to preserve, carry forward, and make use of its cultural relics and historical sites. By leveraging the platform of the Museum, it will promote international exchanges on the World Anti-Fascist War research and foster a global consensus on safeguarding peace and justice.

Further Reading

The International WWII Museum Association was established through a joint initiative of the Museum and the Victory Museum of Russia (formerly Russia’s Central Museum of the Great Patriotic War), and was officially registered with China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs in 2016 as an international social organization, with its headquarters in Beijing. Guided by the mission of opposing war and safeguarding peace, the association is committed to fostering exchanges and cooperation among WWII museums worldwide, promoting an accurate understanding of history, and advancing the concept of peace. Today, its membership includes 49 WWII museums and memorial halls across 14 countries.