Danger sign

Eighty years ago, the world celebrated the end of World War II — a cataclysm that had plunged humanity into the abyss. This war, the deadliest in human history, ended only through an unlikely yet decisive alliance between nations with vastly different political systems, cultures and interests. It was, in fact, the unity of China, the United States, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and General Charles de Gaulle's Free France that led to the defeat of fascism — a brutal, blind and expansionist totalitarianism that threatened fundamental freedoms, the rights of peoples and global stability. These five nations would go on to become the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

Commemorating this victory, 80 years later, is not merely a duty of remembrance — it is an act of vigilance. For while fascism was defeated in 1945, peace remains an unfinished, fragile project — one that must constantly be defended and rebuilt. World War II was a global clash between two visions of the world: on one side, fascism and militarism; on the other, the forces of liberty and resistance, united in a coalition as diverse as it was unprecedented.

The Chinese people waged a long and heroic struggle against Japanese invaders — at the cost of millions of lives. We must never forget the Nanjing Massacre in 1937, one of the most terrifying expressions of human barbarity: systematic rape, mass murder, summary executions and torture inflicted on defenseless civilians by the Japanese army after they occupied the great Chinese city. This crime against humanity, long denied and still minimized by some, remains not only a deep wound in China's collective memory but also a scar on the conscience of all humankind.

The Allied powers put their divisions aside to stand united in the war. It was only through this alliance — and a shared awareness of the urgent need to protect humanity from barbarism — that victory became possible.

Yet the peace won through bloodshed did not mark the end of history. It was the beginning of a new responsibility: to build a world where conflicts would no longer be resolved through force. But the history of nations since 1945 proves that peace is never guaranteed. It remains the outcome of delicate balances, constantly threatened by resurgent nationalism, geopolitical tensions, social injustice and cultural clashes.

The Cold War, regional conflicts in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, military interventions, migration crises and climate emergencies have all reminded us that the seeds of chaos are never entirely eradicated. Even today, dangers abound: economic and technological rivalries, disinformation, identity-based withdrawal, rising extremism, and, above all, a persistent lack of patient and attentive dialogue. Peace does not die only from bombs — it also dies from indifference, from the erosion of trust among peoples, and from the demonization of the "other".

We must not allow misunderstandings to turn into tensions, nor disagreements into divisions. Mutual respect, recognition of otherness, and the celebration of difference as richness — not threat — are the foundations of lasting peace. The 20th century showed us the consequences of ideological hatred and xenophobia. The 21st century must embrace shared interdependence, renewed dialogue and multilateral cooperation.

But dialogue must not remain theoretical. It must be translated into tangible actions. International cooperation is the practical expression of our commitment to peace. In health, the environment, technology and education, nations must work together — sharing knowledge, innovations, and best practices. Global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate disruption and economic inequality know no borders or ideologies. Against such threats, no nation can act alone. China, Europe and the Americas, in particular, have a fundamental role to play in building bridges and fostering collaboration.

This is the very mission of our work: to foster positive interconnection, to practice a civil society diplomacy, and to bring together minds and wills in pursuit of a common goal — preventing history's tragic repetition and advancing the cause of human and social progress.

The ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II must not be limited to moments of solemn remembrance or official gatherings. They must serve as a signal, a reminder, and a call to action. A signal that peace was made possible through the solidarity of peoples. A reminder that peace — like civilization — is always a work in progress. And a call to renew our commitment to a world that is more just, more secure and more humane.

Each generation bears its own responsibility to build peace. As we honor the heroes in the defeat of fascism, we must also ask ourselves: What are we doing today to become the peacemakers of our time and of the future? The memory of victory over fascism only has value if it compels us to reject all forms of brutality — including the more insidious ones: intolerance, racism, contempt and indifference.

To commit to peace today also means defending the UN, for it remains the only universal forum where nations can engage in dialogue, cooperate and seek peaceful solutions to conflict. We are all aware of the UN's imperfections: its deadlocks, delays and deviations call for deep reforms to make it more effective, democratic and representative of today's world. But to discredit or abandon the UN would be to give up on one of humanity's most essential aspirations: the belief that negotiation, law, and international cooperation are preferable to the law of the strongest. To destroy or neglect the UN would be to invite a more violent and unstable world. Defending and reforming the UN is therefore, more urgent than ever. It is essential to preserve peace and secure a better future for all humanity.

Let us never take peace for granted. It is a project always in the making. Just as in 1945, it is through the alliance of peoples, cooperation among nations, and dialogue between cultures that we will preserve it. More than ever, today's world, faced with global challenges — most notably the dizzying rise of artificial intelligence — needs a shared commitment to humanism and the protection of human dignity.

That is the spirit of our work: to cultivate memory in order to build the future, and to constantly remind ourselves that peace is not self-evident — it is an urgent priority in the present, and an absolute imperative for the future.

[The author is a specialist in global affairs and sinology and founder of the China-Europe-America Global Initiative. The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily.]

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

Contact the editor at editor@chinawatch.cn.