Caution Advised as Beijing Rewrites History for its Japan-bashing Extravaganza

Beijing is busily preparing for a grand ceremony and parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. That is, according to the Chinese Communist Party's preferred nomenclature, the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. 

I happened to be living in Beijing in 2015 when the 70th anniversary was marked. As I recall, every day all television channels seemed to broadcast anti-Japan programs one after the next. There were documentaries to be sure. But there were also numerous rather poorly produced, formulaic war dramas in which Japanese soldiers were invariably portrayed as sadistic brutes. By the end of these programs, the Japanese were bested by poorly armed but indomitable Communist guerrillas. 

Hardly mentioned were the regular forces of the Republic of China who did most of the fighting against the Japanese. 

Xi Jinping's Show

This media blitz went on for weeks in the buildup to a mammoth ceremony and parade with 12,000 participants. It was staged in Tiananmen Square, which provided a splendid opportunity to display the regime's latest military hardware. Uniformed members of all the branches of the People's Liberation Army, male and female, lined Chang'an Avenue to be reviewed by Xi Jinping, who, clad in a natty Mao suit, was driven by at a brisk pace in a convertible and would regularly reward each formation with a shout out. He alternated between two expressions: Tongzhimen hao! ("Greetings, Comrades!") and Tongzhimen xinkule! ("Comrades, you've worked so hard!"). 

The later might best be translated as, "Comrades, you're doing a heck of a job!"

If nothing else, Xi's performance art was a timely reminder that the PLA is not a true national army. It officially remains the armed wing of the Chinese Communist Party. 

There were heads of state and other dignitaries from foreign countries in attendance, many of them leaders of fellow dictatorships. Most Western nations, including the United States, sent their foreign ministers or lower-ranking officials. Ambassador Max Baucus represented the US. 

Among the honored guests were grizzled World War II veterans, including former Kuomintang soldiers. There was even a group of former Flying Tigers. 

Continuing Anti-Japan Ploy

The festivities were definitely not Japan-friendly. In part, that reflected the state of bilateral relations at the time. After the Japanese government purchased three of the islands in the Senkaku group from a private owner in September 2012, the Chinese government reacted sharply with a wave of jingoistic propaganda. 

One result was the largest anti-Japan protests since diplomatic relations were established in 1972. These swept more than 100 cities throughout China. Japanese businesses, restaurants and multinational corporations were targeted. Meanwhile, Japanese-made cars and even the Japanese embassy were vandalized. In a few cases, Japanese nationals were even attacked on the streets. Resentment against Japan still ran hot at the time of the parade.

Of course, China's economy and military power have both grown enormously in the decade since then. And with the trade friction and intensifying geopolitical competition between China and the United States, now might seem like an opportune time for China to play the "Japan card." In other words, make friendly overtures to Tokyo, maybe even loan a Japanese zoo a panda or two.

But that has not been the case. Beijing is not making the slightest effort to improve ties with Tokyo. Not only are its naval vessels nearly constantly prowling around in waters near the Senkaku Islands, there recently have been a series of incidents in which Chinese fighter jets have intruded into Japanese airspace or threatened Japanese aircraft. 

In fact, Japan's latest defense white paper, issued in mid-July, warns that China's intensified military activities are a cause for concern. As it states, those activities seriously impact Japan's security. It concluded, "International society is in a new crisis era and faces the biggest challenges since the end of World War II."

Xi's 80th Anniversary Anti-Japan Show

September 3 is shaping up to be a day to remember. According to Chinese state media, "the military parade will feature marching formations, armored columns, aerial echelons and new types of combat forces, including unmanned and intelligent equipment." 

All the equipment on display will be domestically produced and cover a full spectrum of capabilities. A gala will also be held that evening at the Great Hall of the People to mark the occasion. It will be broadcast live. 

Nor will the past be overcome. The Chinese government has released a new list of national-level anti-Japanese war memorial facilities and sites, as well as a new list of renowned Chinese heroes, martyrs and heroic groups. A special exhibition is also being staged in Beijing at the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

Caution Advised

Now, it is common knowledge that both Xi Jinping and Donald Trump love the pageantry of a military parade. 

Trump has also indicated on more than one occasion that he is eager to visit China. In fact on July 22 he told reporters, "President Xi has invited me to China, and we'll probably be doing that in the not-too-distant future." 

It is no surprise therefore that some Chinese commentators have suggested that Trump attend the September 3 festivities. What a splendid opportunity, they declare, for the leaders of the world's two superpowers to strike a "grand bargain." 

For example, Jin Canrong, a professor at the School of International Studies at Renmin University in Beijing has argued for a Trump visit on Guancha, a nationalistic news portal. By the way, Jin is said to have 3.6 million followers on Weibo, China's equivalent of Twitter/X.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has already announced that he will visit China for four days around the time of the parade. He said he looks forward to attending the event. That would provide the added opportunity for Trump to meet with Putin for the first time since his second term began. But whether that would be advantageous or not in his dealings with Xi is debatable. 

Trump Should Wait

The Chinese appear up for the idea. In a Foreign Policy article entitled "China Should Invite Trump to Its Military Parade," influential commentator Deng Yuwen suggested it would offer "a rare chance for diplomacy."

And Professor Jin sounded positively giddy when he wrote, "If the leaders of China, the US and Russia were to stand together during the military parade, it would be a great boon for the world." 

No doubt.

But before rushing into anything, I would suggest that the Trump Administration would be well advised to consider what it would look like to the Japanese people for the president of the United States to attend such a propaganda fest. Especially at this sensitive point in time. 

The Peking duck can wait. 

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Author: John Carroll