V-J Day in the PRC

Officially the surrender document was signed on 2 September 1945

Surrender was formalised when representatives from the Empire of Japan, including those representing the government and armed forces, stepped aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay in order to sign the Japanese Instrument of Surrender.

There were actually two copies of the Instrument of Surrender: one bound in leather for the Allied forces, and one canvas-backed copy for Japan. Representatives of the Allies were also on board.

Japan’s declaration of surrender signalled the end of Japanese colonial rule in the Korean peninsula, the end of its attempts to dominate and occupy the Asian mainland and China, and the waning of its influence in South East Asia.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying reminded reporters that China has chosen September 3 the official “victory day of the Chinese people’s war of resistance against Japanese aggression.” While Japan surrendered on August 15, the formal surrender documents were signed on September 2. China’s formal events commemorating the end of World War II will be timed to coincide with the September anniversary.