A mainland-based academic on Wednesday said one key message sent by China is the importance of remembering history and upholding peace.

Josef Gregory Mahoney, a professor of politics and international relations at East China Normal University in Shanghai, was commenting on the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

He told RTHK that China showed it was committed to multilateralism and working with other countries.

“One of the most important legacies of World War Two is nations came together to form the United Nations and other key institutions to ensure we never repeat tragedy on that scale again," he said.

"Today, as the US pulls back from these organisations and even undermines them in some cases, China remains committed to them. China remains committed to multilateralism.”