"It's important to look to the past, what kinds of lessons we have been learning, and how we can move ahead to a brighter future based on the lessons learned. That is the main purpose," Ban said.

"I think it is important for every country to shed light on its history and question it in an open and critical manner," former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said while commenting on his participation in the upcoming V-Day festivities.

"The military parade that China will hold to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory in China's anti-Japanese war is of great significance," former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin said.

"It's an opportunity to manifest a country's force but also to show that it's not bellicose. In this parade, China will show off the progress it has made, and its strategy of peaceful development. In a world of uncertainties, China's vision of building a multi-polar peaceful world is very important," he said.

"I think commemorative events have their place," said Odd Arne Westad, ST Lee Professor of U.S.-Asia Relations at Harvard University.

"If the end of World War II teaches us anything, it is that we have to avoid war in the future. In total wars there are no winners, only losers," the expert said.

The parade is unprecedented for China, while similar commemorative events have been held across Europe.

Apart from bringing to light China's contribution to the Allied victory, the event will also demonstrate the country's aspiration for peace and its determination to safeguard post-war international order.