BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping said Thursday that all countries should draw lessons from the history of World War II and stick to peaceful development.

Xi made the remarks while addressing a reception after a grand military parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

"It is our sincere hope that all countries will draw wisdom and strength from history, pursue peaceful development and work together to open up a promising future for world peace," he told more than 800 Chinese and foreign guests.

China's victory of the war was a great triumph won by the Chinese people fighting shoulder to shoulder with their anti-fascist allies and the people throughout the world, he said.

"As the main Eastern theater of the anti-fascist war, China's war of resistance made a critical contribution to its worldwide victory," Xi added.

"No force is greater than working together with one mind," he said, noting that during the war, people from anti-fascist allies and other forces across the world joined hands in the fight against their common enemy.

"We the Chinese will never forget the invaluable support given by the peace-loving and just countries, peoples and international organizations to our fight against Japanese aggressors."

Xi expressed heartfelt gratitude to all foreign governments, international organizations and friends from other countries that gave assistance and help to the Chinese people during the war time.

History may have twists and turns but is bound to go steadily forward, the president said. History is etched on people's hearts and minds and brooks no denial, nor can it be written off.

"We commemorate the victory of our war of resistance and the world anti-fascist war and condemn the brutality of the aggressors," Xi said. "We do this to rekindle the yearning for and commitment to peace, not to prolong hatred."

He stressed that all people must have the right outlook on history and remember the inspiration and lessons of history by heart.

"Denying past aggression is to make a mockery of history, and constitutes an insult to the human conscience."

With a painful memory of the past, Xi said, the Chinese people have persistently committed themselves to a path of peaceful development and a win-win strategy of opening-up.

"A stronger and more developed China will mean a stronger force for world peace," the president said.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, top legislator Zhang Dejiang, and other top leaders including Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli were also present at the event.