US aid to China during World War II was driven by Washington’s self-interest, and the dynamics between the two nations before 1949 was that of “coloniser and oppressed”, according to a top Chinese government-backed historical journal.
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Another paper in the same issue of the periodical characterised Moscow’s wartime support as “offering fuel in snowy weather” while accusing the United States and its Western allies of trying to “erase” the Soviet Union’s contribution to the anti-fascist struggle.
The comments came two weeks before celebrations to mark the 80th anniversary of China’s victory in the “people’s war of resistance against Japanese aggression” and the global victory over fascism.
It will feature a high-profile military parade in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on September 3, with Russian President Vladimir Putin among the headline guests and possible participation by Russian troops.
Chinese PLA soldiers rehearse for Victory Day parade
Chinese PLA soldiers rehearse for Victory Day parade
The articles were a rare instance of a strongly worded critique of wartime US-China relations from a Chinese academic institution with official ties.
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They also highlighted the recent push by Chinese authorities and academics to rethink the so-called Western-centric narrative on World War II, while depicting the Communist Party of China and the Soviet forces as the backbones of the Pacific and European theatres, respectively.