China Cracks Down on Historical Revisionism, Underscoring Commitment to Wartime Narrative
Shenyang, China – Against the backdrop of the annual commemoration of the September 18 Incident, a pivotal moment marking the beginning of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, China’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS) has intensified its campaign against online historical revisionism. Two recent cases, publicized by the ministry’s Cybersecurity Bureau, highlight the government’s unwavering commitment to preserving the narrative surrounding the war and its condemnation of any attempts to distort or diminish the role of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in the conflict. The timing of the announcement, coinciding with the remembrance of the Mukden Incident, serves to underscore the significance of this period in China’s modern history and the government’s determination to safeguard its interpretation.
The first case involves a netizen identified only by their surname, Deng, who allegedly fabricated casualty figures related to Japanese troops eliminated by CPC-led forces during the war. The MPS contends that Deng’s online posts sought to downplay and deny the CPC’s central role in leading the resistance against the Japanese invasion. This, according to the authorities, constitutes an affront to national and ethnic sentiment, a transgression that has resulted in administrative penalties against Deng following a confession of the offense. The MPS emphasizes the severity with which it views any attempt to undermine the historical narrative that positions the CPC as the backbone of the resistance movement.
In the second case, another netizen surnamed Zhang is accused of propagating the fabricated claim that the CPC-led Red Army collaborated with the Japanese Kwantung Army. This allegation, which directly contradicts the established historical record of the CPC’s armed resistance in Northeast China, is considered a grave distortion of historical facts. The MPS points out that the CPC-led forces in the Northeast were the first to raise the banner of national resistance against the Japanese invasion, a fact that Zhang’s claims actively seek to undermine. Similar to Deng, Zhang confessed to the offense and received administrative penalties in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
These two cases exemplify the MPS’s broader effort to counter what it perceives as attempts to revise and reinterpret the history of the War of Resistance. The ministry’s statement underscores the immense sacrifice made by the Chinese people during the protracted conflict, culminating in the nation’s first full-scale victory against foreign aggression in modern times in 1945. This triumph, the MPS asserts, not only made a significant contribution to the global fight against fascism but also laid the foundation for China’s subsequent national rejuvenation. The ministry frames these historical events as crucial components of China’s national identity and its rise on the world stage.
The MPS emphasizes that any attempt to distort this historical narrative, particularly by diminishing or denying the CPC’s role, or by defaming national heroes, will be met with resolute action. The public security authorities are committed to investigating and punishing such acts, signaling a zero-tolerance policy towards historical revisionism. This firm stance reflects the government’s determination to control the narrative surrounding the war and to counter any interpretations that challenge the established official account.
Furthermore, the MPS calls upon the public to actively participate in upholding and disseminating the official version of the war’s history. This appeal signifies a broader effort to engage public support in reinforcing the official narrative and to promote a shared understanding of the past. By invoking the spirit of the resistance and its connection to global peace, the ministry seeks to connect the historical narrative with contemporary values and China’s role in the international community. The message is clear: preserving the historical memory of the War of Resistance is not just about the past, but also about shaping China’s present and future.