China unveils official design for 70th anniversary commemorations

China yesterday unveiled its official logo for the forthcoming commemorations of victory over Japan 70 years ago, invoking both peace in the form of doves and robust nationalism with Communist Party colours and imagery of the Great Wall.

The symbol is centred around a large red-coloured "70" for the years since 1945 and what Beijing calls the end of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

Five flying doves ascend from right to left, starting in red and ending in yellow, and the lower part depicts a V-shaped Great Wall. The logo's dominant colours are red and yellow, the same as the party's and China's post-1949 national flag.

Xinhua, citing the State Council Information Office, said the V of the wall represented China's national unity as well as the usual meaning of victory.

The five doves "demonstrate the memory of history and the aspiration for peace, representing people from the five continents united and moving together towards a beautiful future after going through 'blood and fire'," Xinhua said.

The birds "also symbolise the Chinese people are flying to a future of great rejuvenation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China", Xinhua added.