When I first visited the Embassy of China in Kuala Lumpur in July, after being informed that I would be flying to China as a participant of the China International Press Communication Centre (CIPCC) programme, the officials told me I would be attending a major celebration in early September – the 80th anniversary of China officially calls the “Victory of Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War”.

At the time, I wondered: What kind of celebration is this? Was it directed at Japan? Reports I had read mostly focused on preparations, not the history behind the event.

After arriving in Beijing on Aug 18, my understanding began to take shape. The Vice President of the Academy of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Prof Dr Wang Yiwei, in his talk to the CIPCC participants titled ‘The Global Significance of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression’, on Aug 26, explained why the commemoration holds special significance this year.

“The military parade is important for China as this year marks the 80th anniversary (of the victory). The number eight is important in Chinese culture. The parade and celebration are not intended to stir negative sentiment towards Japan but to remind the world that such tragedies must never be repeated.

“This celebration is not about war but about peace,” he said.

Wang also reflected on the scale of the suffering, noting that between 1931 and 1945, some 35 million Chinese – both military personnel and civilians – lost their lives during the conflict, including in tragic events such as the Nanjing Massacre.

I could relate to the significance of the number eight. As an August baby, born on a “lucky” date of eight, I’ve always made it a point to have my birth date and month on my car’s registration plate. Every time I bought a new car, I ended up paying more for the registration number than for the car booking fee – just to have that special number.

I also remember, on my second visit to the Embassy of China in Kuala Lumpur last month, a few days before my flight to Beijing, an official told me: “You are the eighth participant of CIPCC from your organisation. Eight is a lucky number, I hope the programme brings a lot of fortune to you.”

On Aug 27, CIPCC participants visited the Museum of the War of the Chinese People’s Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, which houses 1,525 photographs and 3,237 relics. Modern display techniques bring the 14-year war vividly to life.

Two days later, CIPCC participants watched Dead To Rights, a film depicting Chinese resistance during the period. Some scenes were so powerful that they moved me to tears.

At a press conference held in the run-up to the commemoration, China’s Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hong Lei, was asked whether the military parade was meant to project China’s “strength”.

He responded firmly: “Love for peace is the lifeline for the Chinese nation.”

After the lecture, museum visit, film screening, and press conference, I finally grasped the deeper significance of the 80th-anniversary commemoration – an event held once every decade that blends history, remembrance, and the symbolic weight of numbers in Chinese culture.

Finally, Sept 3 arrived – the long-awaited day of the celebration. We CIPCC participants left our apartment at 2.20 am. On the bus, we were handed tags confirming that we would be seated guests during the ceremony.

At the media centre, we underwent our first security check. My Bluetooth selfie-stick, which had already been inspected during the earlier press conference, still had its security sticker. We then had breakfast at 3 am and, during the meal, each CIPCC participant was handed a card indicating their assigned seat for the event.

At 4 am, before boarding the second bus to the event venue at Tiananmen Square, we went through a second security check. This time, I had to empty my handbag and spread all my items in a container for scanning. Every item – my lipstick, powder, and travel-size perfume bottle – was carefully inspected. My power bank was also given a security sticker here.

After the second security check, we were asked to collect our snack packs for the event, with strict instructions to open them only at the venue.

Once the bus dropped us off at about 5.30 am, we had to walk almost a kilometre to the third security checkpoint, where our cards were checked. Only seated guests were allowed to enter.

After another kilometre of walking, we reached the fourth and final security check, where all items were inspected once more to ensure they had security stickers.

My next challenge was finding my seat. I showed my card to one of the volunteers on duty, who told me the Chinese writing indicated that the seat was in the gold section. I was overjoyed to hear that.

I reached my seat in the gold section at 6 am. It was next to the band and directly opposite the Tiananmen Rostrum, where world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, would be seated.

Since it was still early, I opened my snack bag. I found drinking water, milk, bread, boiled egg, and two chocolate bars. I also opened the gift bag at my seat. It had the Chinese and commemoration parade flags as well as a small bottle in a box with Chinese writing. My guess was it is medicated oil or ointment. I opened the bottle and smelled the ointment. It somehow smelt like the minyak cap kapak in Malaysia.

For assurance, I asked the CIPCC representative what it was. She said I can rub the oil on my forehead if I feel dizzy.

At 9 am, China’s largest-ever military parade began. I saw Chinese citizens proudly singing their national anthem and patriotic songs. Almost 10,000 soldiers marched with precise coordination, showcasing the country’s latest military assets and weapons – from hypersonic anti-ship missiles and defensive lasers to the newest battle tanks.

China also unveiled its land, sea, air-based strategic forces as the nuclear triad for the first time in the massive military parade.

According to Xinhua News Agency, the triad includes the JingLei-1 air-based long-range missile, JuLang-3 submarine-launched intercontinental missile, new type DongFeng-61 land-based intercontinental missile and new type DongFeng-31 land-based intercontinental missile.

The weapons are China’s strategic “ace” power to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and nation’s dignity, said Xinhua.

The parade concluded with the release of 80,000 doves and 80,000 colourful balloons, filling the sky with a powerful symbol of the Chinese people’s enduring commitment to peace.

I felt deeply honoured to witness such a historic occasion. My sincere gratitude to China for this unforgettable opportunity.

In the span of eight decades, China has risen from devastation to remarkable achievement. Today, the Land of the Great Wall stands tall as a nation that seeks to contribute with compassion, strength and responsibility to the wider world and to humanity.

-- BERNAMA

Rohani Mohd Ibrahim, a journalist with BERNAMA is currently in Beijing to attend China International Press Communication (CIPCC) programme from Aug 18 to Dec 15 2025.

The initiative, organised by the China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA), serves as a platform for practical cooperation between Chinese media organisations and those from emerging markets and developing economies.

The programme also provides foreign journalists with the opportunity to gain a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of China’s society, development and international engagement.

This marks BERNAMA eighth participation in the CIPCC programme since 2018.