Launch of the Edgar Snow International Scholars Program, the“International Friends Studies” Database and the Global Media Program on “Edgar Snow in the New Era”in Beijing on August 30 (TAO ZIHUI) 

The collective memory and enduring spirit forged through the allied victory over Fascism in World War II stand as an indelible legacy. At a symposium held in Peking University on August 30, ahead of the Victory Day on September 3, participants reflected on this history, highlighting the joint struggle on the Eastern main theater of the World Anti-Fascist War—the struggle that contributed significantly to the world’s hard-won peace.

“The contributions of these international friends went beyond making China known to the world; they made China understood by the world,” Wang Gang, Vice Minister of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, told the symposium.

The seminar was hosted by Peking University, together with other institutions, to observe the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 120th anniversary of the birth of renowned American writer and progressive journalist Edgar Snow.

Wang recounted how numerous international friends from across the globe supported China and its people in various ways, strengthening China’s resistance efforts and boosting the confidence of the Chinese people during the war.

At the seminar, reflecting on the history of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and addressing descendants of international friends such as Edgar Snow, John Rabe, George Hatem, David Crook, Rewi Alley and Hans Müller, Wang said, “In remembering these international friends, what can we learn? I believe it is the guardianship of human warmth, the reverence for historical truth, the respect for cultural differences, and the steadfast belief in the common values of all humanity.”

Wang particularly expressed deep gratitude and respect to international friends who have stood firmly with the CPC and the Chinese people through thick and thin. He gave special thanks to those who risked their lives to disseminate the truth about China to the world, such as Edgar Snow.

Wang encourages international friends to visit China and witness the country firsthand—“following Snow’s path”—and to bravely tell the international community about China with fairness and accuracy. “Let China’s stories resonate more deeply through sincere dialogue,” Wang added.

In today’s world, telling authentic, multi-dimensional and comprehensive stories about China and promoting exchanges between Chinese and foreign civilizations are particularly important, said He Guangcai, Secretary of Peking University Committee of the CPC, in his address.

“Snow introduced the real CPC and the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army to the world, pointing out that they would lead China to prosperity. At that time, it took remarkable insight to recognize this,” said Qian Chengdan, a Boya Chair Professor at Peking University, speaking about Snow’s risky journey to the Soviet area in northern Shaanxi and his writing of the book Red Star Over China. This groundbreaking book has left a lasting impact on global perceptions of China at the time.

Qian noted that this demonstrated Snow’s strong sense of justice and his ability to see through the fog of history to discern the right direction of the times. He pointed out that many people in the world today still do not understand China, and some take advantage of this to deliberately distort the country.

Sun Hua, Director of the China Center for Edgar Snow Studies at Peking University, said that Snow’s life exemplified true internationalism. His truthful reporting to the world became a testimony that transcends time and space.

Michael Crook, son of British communist David Crook, said Red Star Over China was the reason his father came to China. “When he read that book, he was so moved that he decided: I want to go to China.”

The Crook family has built a deep and lasting bond with China. David Crook met his Canadian wife, Isabel Crook, in China. In the late 1940s, the couple traveled to CPC-led liberated areas, conducting research on land reform in rural villages and producing two influential sociological works.

Additionally, at the symposium, descendants and relatives of several other international friends also shared profound insights drawn from their unique family perspectives. They not only reflected on the courageous efforts and solidarity their ancestors demonstrated during China’s War of Resistance but also offered personal accounts of a dynamic and evolving China as they experience it today.

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