China
stresses nationalism in war anniversary propaganda push
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[July 06, 2015]
BEIJING (Reuters) - China plans to
mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two in Asia, and its
fight against Japan, with a stream of movies, concerts, performances and
exhibitions, officials said on Monday, in an effort to strengthen
"nationalism and culture".
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The centerpiece of the events is a military parade through central
Beijing in September, although few top Western officials are likely
to attend, for fear of sending the wrong signal in a region fraught
with territorial disputes and bitter war memories.
China-Japan relations have long been affected by what China sees as
Japan's failure to atone for its occupation of parts of the country
before and during the war. Beijing rarely misses a chance to remind
the world of its suffering at the hands of Japan.
Over the next three months, the Chinese government will promote 20
documentaries, 12 television dramas and three animated programs.
Items already presented include more than 180 children's shows,
dramas and musicals.
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"By highlighting the spirit of patriotism, uprightness and heroism
in their creations, artists can help the public to strengthen their
values on history, nationalism and culture, (and) therefore increase
their self-confidence and dignity as Chinese," Vice Minister of
Culture Dong Wei said in written remarks before a news briefing.
At least five new films have finished shooting and will be screened
at major cinemas beginning in early September, Tian Jin, vice
minister at the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio,
Film and Television, told reporters.
Dong, Tian, and several other officials, including those from the
People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the State Archives
Administration, declined to answer a Reuters question on concerns
whether the works would stoke regional tension.
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Many of the works will highlight the efforts of China's ruling
Communist Party in the war against Japan.
An exhibition organized by the PLA will focus on the Party's
"critical role" in the war and a concert titled "The Great Wall
Built by Flesh and Blood", will show the spirit of China's armed
forces "under the leadership of the Communist Party", Li Zhensheng,
deputy publicity chief of the PLA's General Political Department,
said in a statement.
President Ma Ying-jeou of self-ruled Taiwan said on Saturday it was
Nationalist Chinese forces which won the war against Japan,
challenging Beijing's official line, which focuses on the heroics of
the Communist army.
After the war, Chinese Communists and Nationalists resumed a civil
war that resulted in Nationalist forces withdrawing to Taiwan in
1949, though China still claims the island as its own.
(Reporting by Michael Martina; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
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