Archives chronicle Myanmar, Yunnan WWII battles

China on Friday published documents chronicling battles fought between Chinese and Japanese forces from 1943 to 1945 in northern Myanmar, then a British colony, and in Yunnan Province.

The documents, the 26th installment in a series of archival releases on China's WWII engagements, detailed counterattacks launched by Chinese forces from October 1943 to March 1945 to regain control of the Stilwell Road linking Yunnan and Myanmar.

Also known as the Burma Road, the Stilwell Road was a crucial lifeline linking the Chinese battlefield with allied forces during WWII.

The Chinese side reclaimed more than 50 cities in northern Myanmar in the 18-month campaign and more than 80,000 square km of land in Yunnan, reopening the Stilwell Road.

More than 40,000 Japanese troops were killed in the process, according to the documents.

Every day since Aug. 25, the State Archives Administration has released a new set of articles outlining historic battles to mark the 69th anniversary of victory against Japanese aggressors.

China has officially set Sept. 3 as Victory Day to mark Japan's surrender on Sept. 2, 1945.