A commemorative event was held in Shanghai on Monday to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

Titled "History Illuminates the Present, Cooperation Lights the Future", the event was organized by the Shanghai Public Relations Association, the Shanghai Institute of American Studies and partner organizations to deepen the enduring China-US friendship that was forged in the anti-fascist struggle.

Gathering historical witnesses, experts, scholars and advocates of civil diplomacy from both China and the United States, the event explored the shared history of mutual support and shoulder-to-shoulder combat between the two nations during the war. Participants from diverse fields and perspectives discussed ways to overcome the new challenges facing current China-US relations, and how to enhance relations between the two peoples.

On the same day, a special themed exhibition was launched at the Shanghai East Library, which will run until Oct 12. The exhibit focuses on the spirit of resisting aggression, the pivotal role of the Communist Party of China, the collective strength of the Chinese nation, as well as the great truth that justice, peace and the people will ultimately prevail.

Telling personal stories that illuminate broader history, the exhibition highlights international cooperation and the friendship forged in blood and fire between the Chinese and North American peoples — a bond that can and will be passed down from generation to generation.

"The stories told in the exhibition are witnesses to history, symbols of friendship and models of cooperation, conveying the power of peace and justice," said Sha Hailin, president of the Shanghai Public Relations Association and director of the Academic Committee of Shanghai Institute of American Studies.

"Looking back at history, we see that faith knows no bounds, confidence can meet all difficulties, and trust builds the future. Commemorating the victory is not to perpetuate hatred, but to safeguard peace. And remembering history is not to dwell on the past, but to illuminate the future."

Sha called for the two nations and peoples to learn from history and join hands to address common contemporary global challenges, to strengthen civil friendship, boost win-win cooperation, and together contribute to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Highland Martin, a 20-year-old student from the University of North Carolina in the US who is currently studying with the Fudan Universities International Summer Session (FISS) in Shanghai, expressed similar sentiments. Most people learned about the wars and history from one certain perspective, and such an event had broadened her view of the global war, Martin told China Daily.

"Coming to this event has helped me learn about the camaraderie between our nations and given me a better perspective on how great a contribution China made to the overall victory of the war in a global sense," she said.

"The peoples' stories really touched me and showed me how grateful I am to be in a peacetime. China and the US are now definitely more intertwined than ever, and I think both sides need to cooperate from a global perspective, remember where we started and see where history leads us for a global solution."