Global Times: Readers’ Reflections: China’s contributions to WWII victory undeniable; its commitment to peace, respect for history are path humanity needs to follow: Evan Kail

“War is like a mirror. Looking into it helps us better appreciate the value of peace. Today, peace and development have become the prevailing trend, but the world is far from tranquil. War is the sword of Damocles that still hangs over mankind. We must learn the lessons of history and dedicate ourselves to peace.”

On September 3, 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in his address at the Commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The remarks were included in the second volume of the series Xi Jinping: The Governance of China. 

On September 3, 2025, a grand ceremony to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War will be held in Beijing. General Secretary Xi will deliver an important speech. 

As the important commemorative events are about to take place, the Global Times, along with People’s Daily Overseas Edition, released the 11th installment of the special series “Decoding the Book of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China.” We continue to invite Chinese and foreign scholars, translators of Xi’s works, practitioners with firsthand experience, and international readers to discuss the theme of “learning the lessons of history and dedicating ourselves to peace.”

In the 11th article of the “Readers’ Reflections” column, Global Times (GT) reporter Ma Tong spoke with Evan Kail (Kail), a pawn shop owner from Minnesota, the US, and a graduate of the University of Minnesota’s Japanese Studies program. Kail gained widespread attention in 2022 for donating a rare photo album documenting Japanese wartime atrocities to China, for which he was presented with a Chinese national porcelain gift as a token of appreciation. In the interview, Kail highlighted China’s undeniable contributions and sacrifices, which were crucial to the victory of World War II, vowing to serve as a “cultural bridge” for global peace and China-US exchanges.


GT: 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 second volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China includes part of President Xi’s speech at the ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of that victory, in which he stressed that “During the war, through enormous national sacrifice, the Chinese people held their ground in the main Eastern theater of World War II, thus making a major contribution to overall victory.” Your grandfather fought against Japan in the Pacific theater. How do you view Chinese people’s sacrifices and contributions to the victory of World War II?

Kail: During the war, especially in their fierce resistance against Japanese aggression, the Chinese people made enormous sacrifices and played a decisive role in holding the main battlefield in the East, shaping the outcome of the global victory against fascism. China’s contributions to the victory in the war are undeniable. 

In the US, the prevailing narrative is that “we won World War II,” but such a view downplays China’s pivotal role. Japan’s militarist machine was extraordinarily powerful at the time, and without China’s perseverance and sacrifice, the outcome of the war could have been entirely different.

GT: In the second volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, President Xi noted that “War is like a mirror. Looking into it helps us better appreciate the value of peace,” and stressed that “We must learn the lessons of history and dedicate ourselves to peace.” However, some right-wing Japanese politicians still attempt to deny, distort or even glorify the history of aggression. As a graduate in Japanese studies, how do you view this phenomenon?

Kail: We’re seeing something alarming, not just in Japan but globally: isolationist, populist, highly nationalistic movements. Japan is a stark example. This nationalism, which started gaining traction about a decade ago, is a huge threat to global security. Their refusal to apologize or acknowledge these atrocities is not only an insult to the victims but also a blow to global stability. We need to unite to tackle issues like climate change and explore new frontiers like outer space. We can’t do that if we’re divided. If Japan were to face up to its history and make the necessary acknowledgement, it would be a step toward peace, but instead, they act like it never happened, which is dangerous. 

History is the greatest teaching tool—it shows us what happened in the past, and that’s how we learn from past mistakes. Remembering history is not only a solemn tribute to those who suffered, sacrificed, but also a renewed commitment to the cause of peace. It ensures future generations understand the profound cost of conflict.

Only by studying history, keeping its memory alive, and creating a serious discourse about how we confront the darker chapters of the past and how we should act, can we build a better world for tomorrow.

GT: President Xi has stressed that the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression is “a great victory achieved with the CPC fighting as the central pillar.” Based on your experiences traveling across China, how do you understand the significance of this leadership role? 

Kail: The CPC’s leadership was pivotal during the war—it united the Chinese people with a shared vision to strive together, overcame formidable challenges and ultimately secured victory. This leadership also fostered a spirit of collective dedication and resilient unity, which I see echoed powerfully in China’s remarkable development achievements today.

In my experiences in China, I’ve been deeply impressed by an inspiring sense of unity. I believe that if Americans could work together more effectively, we could accomplish so much more. I genuinely hope that the US could show the same level of cohesion that China demonstrates.

Just look at what the Chinese government has achieved over the past decade—the rapid advancements in technology, the tangible progress to combat climate change, or the steady improvement in people’s lives. These are things I do not see happening in the US. For example, my business is in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, near a road construction project that’s dragged on for over ten months with no end in sight. If this were China, such a project would have been completed in just a few days. This contrast, to me, illustrates how China efficiently mobilizes its resources, how its government provides robust support, how technology is effectively applied, and how the collective spirit of the people contributes to the continuous progress of the entire country.

GT: In the second volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, President Xi has emphasized, “In the interest of peace, China will remain committed to peaceful development. We Chinese always love peace. No matter how much stronger it might become, China will never seek hegemony or expansion. It will never inflict its past suffering on any other nation.” How do you assess China’s long-term commitment to pursuing peaceful development? With ongoing global risks such as conflicts and instability, what is China’s role in fostering peace and development? 

Kail: China’s commitment to peaceful development is clearly evident through its actions, drawing from its history of hardships to consistently prioritize cooperation and progress over conflict and confrontation. We can see China’s role clearly in regions such as Africa, where it is helping to reduce poverty, combat disease, and build critical infrastructure. China has long been a responsible and accountable major power, and today it is using that power and influence to actively support other developing nations in improving their people’s livelihoods.

In contrast, some developed countries have been scaling back their commitments to global affairs. For example, funding cuts for HIV/AIDS programs have put many people in Africa at risk, which I find deeply troubling. But amid these challenges, China has responsibly stepped up to the plate. In my view, developed nations have an obligation to support countries and people in need, and China, as a major developing country, is demonstrating true global leadership. 

I believe China’s commitment to peace, respect for history, and the pursuit of cooperation over confrontation are precisely the path humanity needs to follow. 

GT: China has consistently upheld the principles of mutual respect, equal coexistence, peaceful development, and shared prosperity. In today’s turbulent world, how do you view the practical significance of this commitment? Looking ahead, how do you plan to contribute to what you once described as serving as a “bridge” for China-US exchanges?

Kail: The principle of mutual respect and seeking common ground while shelving differences is particularly vital in today’s increasingly divided world. It reminds us that prejudice and conflict only deepen suffering, while cooperation and understanding pave the way for a better future. From my travels in China, I’ve seen how the Chinese people embody this vision through their warmth and unity, which has further convinced me that fostering mutual respect across nations is not just an ideal but a practical necessity for global stability.

This year, I brought some friends to China, and I hope more will come in the future to witness the beauty and vitality of this nation for themselves. My goal is for them to share these experiences with people in the West, countering the divisive and negative narratives some media outlets promote for profit. I was surprised by how different China is from what I expected, and I want more Americans to discover that reality. I believe my efforts are a small but meaningful step toward the vision of “mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation.”

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202508/1342232.shtml