The upper part of the combined photo shows Japanese soldiers invading Zhengyangmen in Beijing on July 29, 1937 (file). The lower part taken by Zhang Chenlin shows tourists visiting Zhengyangmen on July 3, 2017. China was the first nation to fight against fascist forces. The struggle started on September 18, 1931, when Japanese troops began their invasion of northeast China. It was intensified when Japan's full-scale invasion began after a crucial access point to Beijing, Lugou Bridge, also known as Marco Polo Bridge, was attacked by Japanese troops on July 7, 1937. (Xinhua)