過去數週, 我參加了多個有關記念抗戰八十週年紀念活動, 令我不禁想到歷史是真的自有公論?

今年初, 華人僑領中華青年會的劉彪先生與我曾商討, 如何籌辦記念抗戰八十週年?我當時指出, 世界面對俄烏及以哈戰爭之中, 與中日戰爭初期世界政治情況有相似的地方。記念抗戰八十週年, 應該從這段歷史給世界希望和出路去探討, 而不要掉進去國民黨與共產黨誰領導抗日的爭辯之中。

在十月初的文藝匯演之中, 中華青年會百多人的綜合表演中, 演出了由清末列強欺壓大清帝國開始, 導出孫中山建立中華民國, 驅趕滿清政府拯救中華民族的理想的這一段歷史。日本侵華戰爭被視為對剛成立後仍是不穩的中國的傷害, 而同場的歷史圖片展覽及特刊, 以中英雙語向今天成長的一代, 介紹了中華民族堅持的抵抗。其中, 還原了蔣介石政府在領導抗日8年牽制了日本在歐戰的參與。

雖然今天中華人民共和國也高調記念抗日勝, 勝利八十年, 不過事實是在二次大戰後, 中共的軍隊才開始在中國佔著主導位置, 因而過份渲染共產黨在抗日的領導並否符合歷史事實。在戰爭結束後八十年, 我們見到今天的政權, 重新撰寫這一段歷史。而且今天已全無軍隊的日本, 仍被視為具備威脅性軍國主義的政權, 更是與現狀不乎。

今天仍在進行的俄烏戰爭,或是暫時有望停下來的以哈戰爭, 在每天的新聞報導之中, 不同國家對情況及發展都有不同的解讀。這樣我們明白, 今天的媒體, 要有高度的專業、公正、及勇氣堅持真實的報導, 才能確保以後的人, 能從中讓以後的社會, 正確描寫出這些戰爭的真相。

中國自古以來, 都由官方記錄當代發生的大事, 然後在一個朝代覆滅後, 由下一個朝代史官修訂前朝歷史。這一方法,真確性取決於我們是否有如文天祥的正氣歌中所說「在齊太史簡、在晋董狐筆」史官的堅持。明顯地, 在秦始皇開始極權管治下, 已沒有多少這樣的史官。而且, 歷朝的歷史編修者更記得各朝代無數的文字獄, 帶來的哭聲與死亡。因此, 中國有官方的歷史, 卻不一定有符合歷史事實的歷史。

今天抗戰八十周年記念, 我們還可以追述從父母輩流下來的抗日故事, 或是從當時的電影、小說、文字來揣摩當時情況。不過隨著時間過去, 或許, 發掘出真確的歷史已不再容易。作為傳媒人的我, 更珍惜重視今天我們能客觀報導及評論時事的機會。

周偉文, 社長

Can history be truly judged by the public?

Over the past few weeks, I have participated in several events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the War of Resistance Against Japan. These events made me reflect: Is it really true that history will be ultimately judged by the public?

Earlier this year, Mr. Bill Lau of the Chinese Youth Society of Melbourne (CYSM), a well-known leader in the overseas Chinese community, discussed with me how to organize activities for the 80th anniversary. At the time, I pointed out that the current global situation—amid the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars—bears some resemblance to the early political landscape of the Second Sino-Japanese War. In commemorating the 80th anniversary, we should draw hope and direction from history for the present world, rather than falling into the old argument over whether the Kuomintang (KMT) or the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) led the resistance against Japan.

During a cultural performance in early October, over a hundred members of the CYSM staged an all-inclusive performance that began with the late Qing Dynasty’s humiliation by foreign powers and led into Sun Yat-sen’s founding of the Republic of China, emphasizing the ideal of saving the Chinese nation by overthrowing the Manchu government. The Japanese invasion was portrayed as a wound inflicted upon a still-unstable, newly established China. At the same venue, a bilingual (Chinese-English) historical photo exhibition and special publication introduced today’s younger generation to the Chinese people’s unwavering resistance. These also highlighted how Chiang Kai-shek’s government, during the 8-year war of resistance, tied down Japanese forces and hindered their participation in the European war front.

Although the People’s Republic of China today also commemorates the 80th anniversary of the victory over Japan, the historical reality is that the Communist forces only began to gain a dominant position in China after World War II. Overemphasizing the CCP’s leadership role in the war does not align with historical facts. Eighty years after the war ended, we now see regimes rewriting this chapter of history. Moreover, portraying Japan—which now has no military power—as a continuing threat under militarism is inconsistent with the current reality.

In ongoing conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war or the temporarily paused Israel-Hamas war, news reports show us that different countries interpret events in vastly different ways. This reminds us that today’s media must uphold professionalism, fairness, and courage in reporting the truth, so that future generations can accurately understand the reality of these wars.

Since ancient times, China has relied on official records to document major events. After a dynasty falls, historians of the next regime compile the previous dynasty’s history. The accuracy of such records depends on whether there were historians like those praised in Wen Tianxiang’s “Song of Righteousness,” who insisted on truth in the face of power—like the scribes of Qi and the historian Dong Hu of Jin. Clearly, under the autocratic rule of Qin Shi Huang, few such historians remained. Throughout Chinese history, official historians have always remembered the tragic consequences of “literary inquisitions” — countless lives lost and voices silenced. Therefore, while China has official histories, these records do not necessarily reflect historical truth.

As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the War of Resistance today, we are still able to hear anti-Japanese stories passed down from our parents’ generation or infer the atmosphere of the time from films, novels, and written accounts. However, as time goes on, uncovering the truth of history becomes more difficult. As a media professional, I especially treasure the opportunity we have today to report and comment on current affairs with objectivity.

Mr. Raymond Chow, publisher