Published : 2026-09-03

3 September, 1946, was designated as the Victory Day of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

At 9:00 a.m. on 2 September, 1945 (Tokyo Time), representatives of the Allied Powers participating in the war against Japan accepted Japan's surrender aboard a U.S. warship anchored in Tokyo Bay, Japan. A signing ceremony was held that same day.

Japanese representatives signed the Instrument of Surrender, followed by representatives from nine nations including China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union. This marked the victorious conclusion of China's War of Resistance Against Japan.

The Nationalist Government of the Republic of China (ROC) at the time ordered nationwide celebrations for three days starting 3 September, and the following year designated that day as the Victory Day of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

However, after the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1949, the Victory Day was temporarily changed to 15 August.

In 1951, the State Council of China issued a notice reinstating 3 September as the Victory Day of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

The notice stated that while 15 August had previously been observed as the victory date, subsequent verification confirmed Japan's formal surrender occurred after the Japanese government signed the surrender treaty on 2 September, 1945. Therefore, the Victory Day should be officially designated as 3 September.

Subsequently, at the 7th Session of the Standing Committee of the 12th National People's Congress on 27 February, 2014, authorities formally enacted a resolution through national legislation, establishing 3 September as the "Victory Day of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression" annually.