Cambridge historian highlights China's important role in Asia's nationalist, anti-imperial movements

Cambridge historian Hans van de Ven shared his insights on the historical significance of Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression in an interview during his attendance at an international academic symposium themed with “The Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in a Global Perspective” in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 2, 2025.

He stressed the Chinese people’s immense suffering in the war needs greater global attention and recognition. “From a Chinese perspective, this was a horrible war in which many people suffered very greatly,” he noted, adding such suffering lacks sufficient international attention and recognizing this fact matters much.

When discussing China’s historical role, he stated, “China not only became symbol of nationalist resistance against Japan, but much more broadly against imperialism, generally.”

Hans van de Ven further emphasized that China had also played an immensely significant role in becoming a symbol of Asian nationalist movements and anti-imperialist movements, and in promoting Asia’s efforts to determine its own future.