BEIJING, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Historians have called for a reassessment of World War II narratives, long shaped by Western perspectives, arguing that the traditional Eurocentric research framework and postwar geopolitical situation have led to the marginalization of China's crucial contributions to the global anti-fascist struggle.

Scholars made these remarks at an international academic symposium held in Beijing from Sunday to Monday. This symposium brought together nearly 100 experts and scholars to examine the history of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and Taiwan's restoration to China -- from a global perspective.

The event was hosted by Peking University and attended by historians from the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao -- as well as countries such as the United States, Britain and Japan.

Zhu Hanguo, a history professor at Beijing Normal University, said that the prevailing Western timeline of World War II, centered on events such as Germany's invasion of Poland, the Normandy landings and the Battle of Midway -- has obvious limitations and neglects the global and complex nature of the origin of World War II.

"It downplays the contributions of China and the Soviet Union, reducing the Asian and African theaters to regional conflicts," Zhu said. He added that such narratives ignore the global origins of fascism, the interconnected nature of the war's fronts -- and the sacrifices of colonial and semi-colonial peoples.

Lu Fang-sang, a researcher at Academia Sinica in Taiwan, said the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression was the earliest and longest in the global anti-fascist war, but has long been overlooked and underestimated in international scholarship, compared with the European front.

Hans van de Ven, professor of modern Chinese history at Cambridge University, echoed this sentiment. "It was a horrible war in which many Chinese people suffered greatly. I think that's the kind of suffering and horror that hasn't received enough attention or recognition outside China," he noted.

"China was very important for the Allies' victory by being among the first to resist Japan, remaining determined, and making enormous sacrifices," Van de Ven said.

Gao Shihua, a historian from the Institute of Modern Chinese History under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that the neglect of China's sacrifices, especially during the decade before the Pacific War, distorts the nature of the entire World War II.

Scholars also noted that this long-standing neglect is beginning to wane. He Guangcai, chair of the Peking University Council, said in his opening speech that, as the global historical perspective has gained greater influence in the study of World War II, transnational and global approaches have become a catalyst for reshaping the understanding of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.

"Increasingly, international scholars are reevaluating the historical status of China's war of resistance and exploring the strategic significance of the Chinese theater as the main battlefield in Asia during the World Anti-Fascist War," he said.

Lu also voiced similar views. Lu said that studying the war from a global perspective is a welcome trend and that scholars across the Taiwan Strait should strengthen their sharing of historical materials and academic collaboration.

Wu Yongping, professor at Institute for Taiwan Studies, Tsinghua University, said: "Promoting a correct understanding of World War II helps uphold the core values of the postwar order and contributes to resolving issues within the framework of historical justice."

Zhu warned that Japan's right-wing forces are continuing their attempt to redefine the war's starting point as the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, a move aimed at downplaying or even denying Japan's aggression in Asia. Such historical nihilism, he said, poses a direct threat to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

Upholding a global perspective on World War II, Zhu argued, means upholding historical justice, defending the principles of the U.N. Charter and safeguarding world peace.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration to China. ■