Eighty years ago, the United States, United Kingdom, Soviet Union, and Republic of China signed the Four Power Declaration, establishing a framework for cooperation amidst the chaos of World War II.  

Recently, the official memory of World War II has become a battlefield of its own, with the four one-time allies today split across two contending camps. As geopolitical tensions continue to rise, there are strong indications that Moscow and Beijing have sought to align their historical narratives – particularly those on World War II and its lessons – to support their professed “no limits” friendship. 

How is World War II remembered in China and Russia? Why do these historical narratives about the war matter today? And does the joint commemoration of the war signify a convergence in Chinese and Russian narratives?  

About the speakers 

Vincent K.L. Chang is a university lecturer of the history and international relations of modern China at the Leiden University Institute for Area Studies (LIAS) and a senior fellow of the LeidenAsiaCentre. His teaching and research focus on the history of China’s international relations, nation-building and national identity, and contemporary Chinese diplomacy in East Asia and Europe. 

Eric Zhang is a researcher at the LeidenAsiaCentre, who specialises in policy-oriented questions in the areas of cybersecurity and China-Russia relations. Eric’s research is informed by his understanding in advanced quantitative methods (among others text mining), his language skills in Chinese and Russian, and his academic background in Political Science and International Relations. Eric holds an MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy from Leiden University. 

The room has changed! The event will be in Wijnhaven 3.18 – not 3.48!

Location: Wijnhavengebouw, room 3.18 Turfmarkt 99, 2511 DP The Hague