China’s history textbooks to change the length of war against Japan

BEIJING – The State newsagency, Xinhua, reports that, this spring, China’s textbooks will adopt the phrase “14-year Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression,” in place of the current wording, according to the Ministry of Education. China became the first country to fight against fascist forces when Japanese troops began their invasion of northeast China on September 18, 1931.

Textbooks currently use the phrase “Eight-year Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression”, which reflects the beginning of Japan’s full-scale invasion on July 7, 1937.

Textbooks are now mandated to fully reflect the crimes of Japanese troops, underscoring the continuity of the 14 years of war against Japanese aggression from 1931. The revision applies to universities and schools, all relevant disciplines, and textbooks for national and local curriculums.

It requires that “the pillar role played by the Communist Party of China in the anti-Japanese war must be fully proclaimed”. It goes on to say the revision should stress “China was the major East Asian battlefield in the World Anti-Fascist War”, in addition to highlighting “the spirit of the Chinese nation in defying brutality and fighting against aggression”.

The revision is a bid to implement guidelines of central authorities on commemorating the 70th anniversary of victory in the anti-Japanese war and the World Anti-Fascist War, and to “strengthen patriotic education,” the Ministry said.  www.webershandwick.cn (ATI).