President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump held a candid and in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and issues of common concern on Friday. The phone call is important in maintaining regular, high-level communication, enhancing mutual understanding on key issues, and keeping the bilateral relationship stable.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War. Xi said to his US counterpart that China and the United States were allies who fought side by side during World War II. Chinese people, he said, will never forget the valuable support provided by the United States and other anti-fascist allies to China’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

It is in this spirit that Xi called on both sides to honor the fallen heroes, remember history, cherish peace, and open up the future.

This reminds us that the shared experiences and cooperation between China and the US during WWII should continue to serve as a historical bond for enhancing ties. In particular, the history of the war of resistance underscores the two countries’ responsibilities in safeguarding peace and development cherished by the international community.

Based on such profound historical insight and a sense of responsibility for the future, Xi stated that China and the US can achieve mutual success and shared prosperity, benefiting both nations and the world. His remarks connected history with the future, offering important direction for the development of bilateral relations.

For his part, the US president described the military parade held by China to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression as phenomenal and beautiful. He said that by working together, the two countries can achieve many great things conducive to world peace and stability, and that the US side hopes to maintain a long-term, big and great relationship with China.

This conversation marked the third telephone talks between the two heads of state since January. In the just-concluded talks, which engaged with the overarching theme of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the China’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, they provided strategic guidance for stabilizing and advancing the world’s most significant yet complex bilateral relationship by integrating history, the present, and the future.

The author is dean of the School of International Studies, Nanjing University.

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