The historical trend of justice prevailing over evil is inexorable, and the link between peace and development is undeniable, experts said on Tuesday at a symposium in Beijing.

The international symposium on the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War drew more than 150 participants, including over 30 scholars and experts from countries such as Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Greece, the United States, Brazil, Japan and Nigeria.

"The struggle of the Chinese people undermined Japan's invasion plans and was a crucial part of World War II," said Dmitrii Novikov, deputy chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Russia.

Gao Xiang, president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said China was the first to expose the aggressive nature of fascism and, through national sacrifice, "raised the banner of the ground forces in the World Anti-Fascist War".

Qu Qingshan, president of the Institute of Party History and Literature of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said Japan's militaristic invasion of Northeast China on Sept 18, 1931, marked the beginning of the war of resistance and also the start of the World Anti-Fascist War.

"The Communist Party of China was not only dedicated to promoting the establishment of a domestic united front against Japanese aggression, but also had a broad strategic vision to actively work toward creating a worldwide united front against fascism," Gao said.

Georgios Katrougkalos, former foreign minister of Greece, highlighted the deaths of 35 million Chinese people during the war, noting the extraordinary importance the Chinese people attach to their sacrifices.

Wang Jianlang, president of the Chinese Society for the History of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, said the war was fought not only for national independence, but also to maintain world peace.

"The history underscores the importance of building a community with a shared future for humanity and strengthening international cooperation across differences while opposing unilateralism and hegemony," Wang said.

Novikov said that while the West justifies aggression and sanctions today, most countries support the central role of the United Nations in security and development. He added that new horizons for harmonious cooperation among civilizations have opened as more regions embrace the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Ling Huanxin, general and political commissar from the People's Liberation Army's Academy of Military Science, said the postwar international order should be strengthened and developed based on the interests of all humanity, including the voices of the Global South.

Ehizuelen Michael Mitchell Omoruyi, a Nigerian scholar, said the Chinese victory signifies more than resistance.

"It also represents hope for other developing countries, as China's path shows that peace and development are inseparable," he said.

Citing the inclusive progress of the Belt and Road Initiative, Katrougkalos said peace is more sustainable when underpinned by economic opportunity and development.

"Peace is not merely the absence of war; it is the presence of justice, equality and mutual respect," he said.

lishangyi@chinadaily.com.cn