Group 1 - The Russian Historical Society has released nearly 200 declassified documents regarding Japanese militarism, sourced from the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service archives [1] - The head of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, Naryshkin, announced that over 180 declassified documents, including intelligence materials, will be published on the Russian Historical Society's website [1] - Naryshkin emphasized the importance of utilizing new historical materials to maintain research momentum on World War II history [3] Group 2 - Recent declassified documents from the Russian Federal Security Service revealed that the Japanese Unit 731 conducted human experiments and used bacteriological warfare against Chinese civilians [3] - The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that the released documents provide undeniable evidence of Japan's militaristic actions during World War II [3]

Core Viewpoint - China played a crucial role in the fight against Japanese militarism, marking the beginning of the global anti-fascist war, significantly impacting the situation in the Asian theater of World War II [2][3]. Group 1: Historical Context - The resistance of the Chinese people against Japan tied down a significant number of Japanese troops, which was vital for the overall success of the anti-fascist war [2]. - The traditional Western perspective defines World War II as starting in 1937 and ending in 1945, which does not encompass the Asian viewpoint [3]. Group 2: Contributions of the Chinese Communist Party - The Chinese Communist Party emphasized national unity and encouraged a collective resistance, laying a critical foundation for the victory in the war [3]. - The academic work of the scholar has been influential in introducing the history of China's resistance to Western audiences, challenging the notion that China's efforts were insignificant [3]. Group 3: Educational Initiatives - The scholar serves as a visiting professor at Peking University, teaching modern history courses and emphasizing the importance of historical education for the younger generation [4]. - There is a strong belief that peace is hard-won and must be actively preserved, highlighting the need for historical awareness [4].

Core Insights - The conference held on August 20 in Beijing focused on the release of eight significant research achievements related to the history of the Anti-Japanese War and World War II [1][2] - The comprehensive eight-volume "History of the Chinese Anti-Japanese War" depicts the overall history of the Chinese people's struggle against Japanese aggression [1] - The newly compiled "History of World War II" emphasizes the importance of a correct perspective on World War II and highlights China's significant role and contributions in the global anti-fascist war [1] Research Contributions - Key works include "From Yan'an Rectification to the Seventh National Congress of the Communist Party of China" and "Cultural History of the Chinese Communist Party during the Anti-Japanese War (1931-1945)," which illustrate the pivotal role of the Communist Party in the national resistance [1] - The establishment of various archival resources, such as the data platform on the Anti-Japanese War and collections of historical documents, provides valuable historical materials [1] Expert Opinions - Experts noted that the Chinese people's Anti-Japanese War began the earliest, lasted the longest, and faced the harshest conditions, with the greatest sacrifices made [2] - The Communist Party's leadership during the Anti-Japanese War was crucial for the survival and hope of the Chinese nation [2] - The post-war international system, centered around the United Nations, was established to promote global peace and development [2]