Unwanted Heroes: The Nationalist Sino-Japanese War Veterans in China

This project aims to conceptualise the history of one of East Asias most significant modern conflicts, the Sino-Japanese War (19371945), focusing on neglected stories of the Nationalist soldiers. Combining historical research, ethnography and discourse analysis, it intends to investigate the local, national and international context behind the veterans' journey of being forgotten and re-remembered in Chinese history. This work will assist governments and others to understand the legacies of WWII in China, and the complexity of Chinese nationalism. Potential benefits include reconciliation in this region through the facilitation of a more open discussion on war experiences and commemoration in Asia.