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Speakers:

Mr. Ma Feixiong, vice minister of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs (MVA)

Mr. Sun Deli, deputy head of the National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA)

Mr. Peng Yuehui, deputy director of the Department of Revolutionary Cultural Relics of the NCHA

Mr. Li Jingxian, deputy director of the Department of Commendation and Commemoration (also the Department of International Cooperation) of the MVA

Chairperson:

Mr. Zhou Jianshe, head of the Press Center for Commemoration of 80th Anniversary of Victory in Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War

Date:

Aug. 31, 2025

Zhou Jianshe:

Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Welcome to the third press conference of the Press Center for the Events Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Today, we have invited Mr. Ma Feixiong, vice minister of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs (MVA), and Mr. Sun Deli, deputy head of the National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA), to introduce the fourth batch of national-level war memorial facilities and sites, the list of renowned anti-Japanese heroes and heroic groups, and updates on the preservation and restoration of war memorial facilities, sites and relics, and to answer your questions. Also attending today's press conference are Mr. Li Jingxian, deputy director of the Department of Commendation and Commemoration (also the Department of International Cooperation) of the MVA; and Mr. Peng Yuehui, deputy director of the Department of Revolutionary Cultural Relics of the NCHA.

Now, I'll give the floor to Mr. Ma for his introduction.

Ma Feixiong:

Thank you, Mr. Zhou. Good morning, everyone. I'm delighted to meet you all. On this occasion, on behalf of the MVA, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Party committees, governments at all levels and people from all walks of life for their long-term attention, support and care for the work of honoring martyrs.

During the 14 arduous years of resistance against Japanese militaristic aggression, the Chinese people united as one, forging a common will to defend the nation and ensuring its survival. In that struggle, they wrote a magnificent epic of courage and sacrifice. Martyrs such as Yang Jingyu, Zhao Shangzhi, Zuo Quan, Peng Xuefeng and Zhang Zizhong, as well as heroic collectives like the "Five Heroes of Langya Mountain" of the Eighth Route Army, the Liu Laozhuang Company of the New Fourth Army, the eight female soldiers of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army, and the 800 heroes of the National Revolutionary Army emerged. These heroes of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression are the backbone of the Chinese nation. Their deeds and spirit remain a powerful source of inspiration that we must forever cherish.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), General Secretary Xi Jinping has attached great importance to the work of honoring martyrs. He has presented a series of important ideas and proposals on remembering history, honoring fallen heroes, cherishing peace and creating a better future. He has also issued a series of important instructions on protecting the revolutionary resources related to the resistance against Japanese aggression and carrying forward the great resistance spirit, providing fundamental guidelines and action guides for our work.

The MVA has resolutely implemented these ideas and instructions. We have earnestly unearthed and shared the stories of anti-Japanese heroes, actively protected and made use of war memorial facilities, and vigorously promoted the great spirit of resisting Japanese aggression. First, we have continuously improved relevant regulations and policies. The General Office of the CPC Central Committee, the General Office of the State Council, and the General Office of the Central Military Commission have successively issued documents such as the "Overall Work Plan for the Planning, Construction, Repair, Management, and Maintenance of Martyrs' Memorial Facilities" and the "Opinions on Strengthening the Commendation of Martyrs in the New Era." They have revised regulations such as the "Regulations on the Commendation of Martyrs," the "Measures for the Protection and Management of Martyrs' Memorial Facilities" and the "Measures for the Burial of Martyrs." They have also formulated policies and systems to standardize the management of martyrs' memorial facilities and enhance exhibition and interpretation work at these facilities, laying a solid foundation for their protection, management and utilization. Second, we have organized a wide range of commemorative activities. On relevant occasions such as the Tomb-Sweeping Day, Martyrs' Day and the National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims, we have actively mobilized and organized all sectors of society to participate in memorial ceremonies and visits. These events honor the memory of anti-Japanese heroes and guide the public, especially young people, to fully recognize the crimes committed by Japanese militarist aggressors, to remember the Chinese nation's resistance to aggression and courageous struggle, and to appreciate the Chinese people's great national sacrifices and important historical contributions to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, vigorously nurturing a spirit of national pride and patriotism. Third, we have strengthened the protection and management of memorial facilities. Through inspections, historical verification and field research, we have collected and verified information on memorial facilities for martyrs and gained a clearer picture, achieving more IT-based, digitalized and refined management. We have strengthened the upgrading and renovation of martyrs' cemeteries, investing 270 million yuan (about $38 million) in 43 projects. A total of 2 billion yuan in subsidies has been allocated to repair facilities below the county level nationwide, and more than 77,000 scattered martyrs' graves have been relocated to cemeteries. Together with the Supreme People's Procuratorate and the NCHA, we have carried out joint efforts to protect and manage the martyrs' memorial facilities and cultural relics, effectively improving their overall condition. Fourth, we have focused on better telling the stories of the fallen heroes. We have collected and compiled historical records and oral testimonies, organized exhibitions of historical materials, and compiled accounts of heroic deeds. We have unearthed the stories of heroes and their enduring spirit, actively staging high-quality exhibitions. So far, four batches of 294 national-level war memorial facilities and sites have been announced, along with 1,128 renowned anti-Japanese heroes and heroic groups. We have also hosted four consecutive national heroic deeds interpretation contests and other events to continue sharing the stories of heroes and the Chinese people's resistance against Japanese aggression, fostering a strong social atmosphere of remembering history and honoring fallen heroes.

Moving forward, we will take the announcement of the fourth batch of national-level war memorial facilities and sites as well as the list of renowned heroes, martyrs and heroic groups as an opportunity to further protect, manage and make full use of these red resources with care and dedication. We will promote the study and promotion of the deeds of the heroes in schools, communities and military camps, guiding the public, and especially young people, to deepen their sense of patriotism, inherit the red genes, and foster the great national spirit and the spirit of resistance throughout society. This will inject strong spiritual strength into advancing the building of a strong nation and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization.

In just a few days, we will mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. We wish to pay our highest respect to the heroes and martyrs, the soldiers who fought in the war, the relatives of fallen heroes, overseas Chinese and Chinese living abroad, and international friends who made significant contributions and sacrifices to achieve victory in this just war for national liberation. Thank you.