Chinese people from all walks of life felt a mix of pride, solemnity, responsibility and historical reverence as they watched the grand military parade held on Wednesday in Beijing to commemorate 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.

The event, which was broadcast live across multiple platforms nationwide, had people riveted to their mobile phones and television sets, as well as LED screens in public places. They said the parade prompted them to reflect on China's national progress and reaffirmed their personal commitment to contributing to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Gao Jie, a senior hepatobiliary surgeon at Peking University People's Hospital, said he was overwhelmed with respect as he watched the event.

"Eighty years ago, our predecessors defended the dignity of the nation with their lives. Today, as medical workers, we inherit not only the skills to heal but also the belief of putting the lives of others first," he said.

Gao, who boasts 30 years of experience, has performed more than 500 liver transplant surgeries with zero mortality. Inspired by the spirit of dedication of wartime heroes, he emphasized the dual responsibility of showing empathy and achieving technical excellence.

"As a Party member, I know deeply that personal growth is intertwined with growth of the nation, so I returned to China after finishing my postdoctoral studies in the United States to promote my country's liver transplant research," he said.

Helping China achieve breakthroughs in medical research and technology is the best way to remember and honor the heroes who sacrificed their lives more than 80 years ago, Gao added.

Kang Shaozhong, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a professor at China Agricultural University, who was at Tian'anmen Square to watch the parade, said he felt immensely proud as domestically developed advanced military assets — from fighter jets to intercontinental missiles — were displayed in formation.

"China has come a long way — from witnessing the sacrifices made by its 35 million military personnel and civilians during the war to becoming the world's second-largest economy, and from relying on imported equipment to achieving 100 percent domestic production. This progress did not happen easily," he said.

As an agricultural scientist and educator, Kang said he feels a strong sense of responsibility to develop key technologies, promote innovation and train talent to support China's agricultural development and national rejuvenation.

Pride and purpose

Wei Xiuye, a retired accountant, and her husband took their 9-year-old grandson to watch the parade. She said the reason for bringing the young boy to the event was to let him experience firsthand how strong his country is.

"To become a stronger nation with a more powerful military, we must educate our young people. Watching the parade is not just about watching a grand show, but about witnessing the spirit of unity and cooperation," she added.

Lyu Peirou, a grassroots public servant in a village in Baoji, Shaanxi province, watched the commemorative event along with her colleagues at the local village committee office.

Lyu said she was deeply moved when she saw the war veterans salute — their weathered hands trembling, but their gaze firm and unyielding. "It made me realize the true value of hard-won peace and the great significance of the victory," she said.

The parade, which demonstrated the discipline, resilience and strength of the People's Liberation Army as well as the Chinese nation, moved her to tears several times, Lyu said.

"The grassroots is our new battlefield, and we will continue to serve the people with the same commitment our soldiers showed during the war," she added.

Wu Jiani, a police officer posted at the Changsha Public Security Bureau in Hunan province, said the commemoration was so overwhelming that she felt a deep emotional connection with people who lived 80 years ago.

"The parade was not only a display of our national strength, but also a powerful lesson in history," she said.

Wu, who uses new police vehicles and intelligent systems to carry out her daily patrolling and response duties, said she draws inspiration from the resilient wartime spirit of soldiers.

"The streets of Changsha are my parade ground. I will fulfill my oath of 'people's police for the people' with unwavering loyalty in combating crime and serving the people," she added.

Ji Jingxuan, a fourth-grade student at Hangzhou Chunhui Primary School in Zhejiang province, watched the parade with his classmates in a sunlit classroom.

He recalled how the room fell completely silent when the event began.

"So quiet that you could hear a pencil drop," he said, adding that they all stood up and saluted during the national anthem.

"We were glued to the screen, so that we didn't miss a thing," Ji said. "Our teacher said this is our country's strength, earned through hard work and sacrifice."

Moved by the dedication of the soldiers, he vowed to study hard and contribute to the development of China in the future.

Zhao Yimeng and Jiang Chenglong contributed to this story.