PHNOM PENH, July 7 -- An academic in Cambodia on Monday voiced his full support for Chinese President Xi Jinping's remarks at the commemoration of the start of the war of resistance against Japanese aggression 77 years ago.

"We firmly take the path of peaceful development and safeguard world peace," said Xi, addressing the ceremony in Beijing.

"History is history and facts are facts. Nobody can change history and facts," Xi said when addressing a crowd of over 1,000 people at the Museum of the War of the Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in the outskirts of Beijing.

"Anyone who intends to deny, distort or beautify history will not find agreement among Chinese people and people of all other countries," he said, referring to widespread concerns that Japan is trying to distort the history of the war.

Dr. Joseph Matthews, director of International Cooperation Department at the Asia Euro University in Phnom Penh, said he fully supported Xi's remarks.

"As Chinese President mentioned in his speech, we firmly take the path of peaceful development and safeguard world peace, it is a very pragmatic approach towards a global peace," he said. "You cannot safeguard world peace unless you take a path or make a policy that leads you towards world peace."

"I also endorsed Mr. President's remarks that history is history and fact is fact, we cannot deny either of it," he said. " We can forgive aggressor, but we do not forget the act of aggressions, so it is essential for all of us not to forget history."

The War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression started in 1937 and ended with Japan's World War II defeat in 1945.

"In my point of view, I would not consider this is the day of beginning of war of resistance, but the de facto beginning of war of freedom against the Japanese colonial invasion and illegal occupation of China," Dr. Joseph said.