The 2025 "First Lesson of the School Year," a large-scale public welfare program co-hosted by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, China Media Group, and the Ministry of Education, will air at 8:00 PM on September 1st. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The program, themed "Remembering and Striving," uses a variety of presentation methods, including digital scene reconstruction, immersive storytelling, and live classrooms, to vividly tell stories of the War of Resistance, promote the great spirit of the War, and guide young people to remember history, cherish the memory of the martyrs, cherish peace, and create the future.
The large-scale public welfare program "The First Lesson of School" in 2025 will be broadcast at 20:00 on September 1
After 14 years of bloody battles, the Chinese people, with their tenacious will and heroic struggle, paid the enormous price of over 35 million casualties and ultimately achieved a great victory in the War of Resistance. Through battle flags, family letters, and narratives, this program traces the Chinese nation's journey from hardship to glory, allowing young people to understand how the great spirit of the War of Resistance was forged into a precious spiritual treasure for the Chinese people.
Representatives of the three heroic companies
During the program, three battle flags from heroic companies of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression appeared on the same stage for the first time. Representatives of the three heroic companies - Li Xinchao, political instructor of the "Pingxingguan Battle Assault Company", Xu Youxiu, political instructor of the "Heroic Company of Hand-to-Hand Combat", and Dai Tianjiao, political instructor of the "Liulaozhuang Company" - will tell moving stories of famous battles such as the Pingxingguan Victory, the Hundred Regiments Offensive, and the Liulaozhuang Battle on the spot, showing the heroic spirit and spiritual inheritance of the heroic companies who are not afraid of violence and fight to the end.
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In the smoke of war, young people also stood up. The deeds of young anti-Japanese war heroes such as Wang Erxiao and Yulai in primary and secondary school textbooks have infected and inspired generations of people.
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The program uses AI-powered image restoration technology to transform precious photos of youth groups from around the country who fought against the Japanese aggression into high-definition, color motion pictures. These youthful figures who once braved the flames of war will be brought to life in a more vivid and lifelike way, transcending time and space to engage in dialogue with today's youth.
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Heroes are the nation's brightest pillars. "The First Lesson of the School Year" uses a parallel narrative format to retrace the life paths of two heroes of the same age, Zuo Quan and Yang Jingyu: one strategizing in the Taihang Mountains and sacrificing his life for his country; the other, isolated behind enemy lines between the White Mountains and Black Waters, remaining unyielding to the end. The program will also exclusively reveal precious artifacts from Zuo Quan's youth, revealing the budding spirit of his patriotic resolve and determination to save his nation at the age of ten.
Zhu Chengshan, former director of the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders
Remembering is the best way to commemorate the event. Zhu Chengshan, former director of the Memorial Hall of the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, will share his memories of the Nanjing Massacre from the perspective of a "guardian of history." The Nanjing Massacre registration form, filled with testimonies, interviews with survivors, and other tearful memories and images will help young people understand the hardships and resilience of that period, encouraging them to never forget national humiliation and strive for self-improvement.
The original hand-painted Anti-Japanese War picture book by overseas Chinese youth Wang Weizhen was revealed for the first time
During the years of war, what moving stories of youth have been left behind in Yan'an, a city so beloved by young people? At the "First Lesson of the New School Year" event, Liu Ni, Director of the Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Hall, will present for the first time an original hand-painted anti-Japanese war picture book by overseas Chinese youth Wang Weizhen, recreating the lives of Yan'an youth during the war.
A special guest, 103-year-old Meng Yu, one of the original performers of the Yellow River Cantata, recounted his time in Yan'an during the program. Primary and secondary school student choirs from across China will join the veteran artist in a performance that transcends time and space, ensuring the inspiring melodies of the Yellow River Cantata continue to resonate in the new era.
Self-reliance builds a backbone of steel. "The First Lesson of the School Year" will utilize AR technology and other visual effects to take students "on a journey" through the Huangyadong Arsenal, allowing them to experience the hardships and perseverance of workers during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, forging iron from helmets and crafting gun barrels from rails. In a live classroom at the Chengfei Aviation Theme Education Base, J-10 Deputy Field Commander Xue Chishou and first flight test pilot Lei Qiang will recount the J-10's journey from demonstration to successful maiden flight, inspiring young people of the new era to continue their struggle and forge ahead with courage.
The profound historical memory, vivid youth stories, and surging spirit of struggle converge in this class into a spiritual force that transcends time and space and tells us: the best way to remember is to inherit, and the best way to inherit is to struggle.
The program will be broadcast simultaneously at 20:00 on September 1st on CCTV-1, CCTV News Client, CCTV Video, "Study Strong China" learning platform, and the National Smart Education Platform for Primary and Secondary Schools.
