People visits the "Great Victory, Historic Contribution" exhibition to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the beginning of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, at the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance against Japanese Aggression near Lugou Bridge, also known as Marco Polo Bridge, in Beijing, July 7, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - China commemorated on Tuesday the 78th anniversary of the start of its eight-year resistance against the Japanese invasion, underlining the country's essential role in World War II.

Activities were held nationwide to mark the "July 7 Incident" of 1937, when Japanese troops attacked Lugou Bridge, a crucial access point to Beijing.

Japan invaded Northeast China in September 1931, but historians generally agree that the July 7 Incident marked Japan's full-scale invasion and the start of China's eight-year war of resistance.

COMMEMORATIONS

An exhibition, "Great Victory, Historic Contribution", opened on Tuesday at the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance against Japanese Aggression near Lugou Bridge, also known as Marco Polo Bridge, in the southwest of Beijing.

A total of 1,170 pictures and 2,834 artifacts are on show. Chinese President Xi Jinping and other top leaders visited the exhibition.

All members of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the whole nation should keep in mind this period of history, which was the result of life and blood, and bear in mind the achievements of the Chinese people to ensure national independence and freedom, and the sovereignty and dignity of the motherland, Xi said.

"The great contributions made by the Chinese people to the world anti-Fascist war should be remembered."

"We must cherish peace while being cautious of the future," said Xi, adding that China is committed to the road of peaceful development, and will defend world peace while advancing the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The exhibition is part of the country's events in the run up to the 70th anniversary of the victory of the anti-Japanese aggression war and the victory of WWII.