Key Facts
• August 6: Tourists visit Hundred Regiments Battle Memorial Hall in Yangquan, Shanxi Province.
• 2025 marks 80 years since China’s ‘Anti-Japanese War Victory.’
• Chinese government intensifies patriotic campaigns to highlight Communist Party’s role.
• July: Xi Jinping visits the memorial, skipping an international conference in Brazil.
• Visitor numbers to the memorial increased sixfold compared to last year.
• July: Film ‘Nanjing Photo Studio’ released, earning 18 billion yuan ($369 million).
• Film depicts atrocities by Japanese soldiers during the Nanjing Massacre (1937).
• September 18: Film on Unit 731’s biological warfare set for release.
• December 13: Designated as China’s National Memorial Day for the Nanjing Massacre.
• Japanese government issues safety warnings for citizens in China amid rising anti-Japanese sentiment.
Summary
China is intensifying its patriotic campaigns in 2025, marking the 80th anniversary of its ‘Anti-Japanese War Victory.’ The government aims to bolster national unity by emphasizing the Communist Party’s role in resisting Japanese aggression. Key efforts include Xi Jinping’s visit to the Hundred Regiments Battle Memorial Hall and the release of films like ‘Nanjing Photo Studio,’ which has grossed $369 million. These films focus on Japanese wartime atrocities, stirring strong emotional reactions among viewers, including children. Upcoming releases, such as a film on Unit 731, coincide with historically significant dates, potentially heightening anti-Japanese sentiment. The Japanese government has issued safety advisories for its citizens in China, reflecting concerns over rising tensions. While China seeks foreign investment, domestic nationalism complicates diplomatic relations with Japan.
