To commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence (MWRCD) is collaborating with the Guangdong Museum of Revolutionary History to launch the "Standing Together for Peacebuilding: Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the War of Resistance in Guangdong and Hong Kong" exhibition from tomorrow (August 29) to July 8, 2026. Admission is free. The exhibition shows the history of the people of Guangdong and Hong Kong, led by the Chinese Communist Party, and how they were closely united in resisting the enemy.

     Addressing the opening ceremony today (August 28), the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, said that Guangdong and Hong Kong have shared the same roots and blood connections since ancient times. During the War of Resistance, the people of the two places fought side by side, crafting a moving chapter of patriotism. Hong Kong did not only function as a vital transit hub for wartime supplies from abroad, but also hosted the Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dongjiang Column, which conducted operations behind enemy lines, making significant contributions to the country. He also said that remembering history, honoring martyrs, cherishing peace, creating a great future, understanding the spirit of the War of Resistance, and better nurturing and inspiring the patriotic sentiment of the public are among the essential aims of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in promoting patriotic education.

     Other officiating guests today included the Secretary General of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Wang Songmiao; the Director of the Guangzhou Municipal Bureau of Cultural Relics cum Deputy Director of the Guangzhou Municipal Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau, Mr Liu Xiaoming; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; the Curator of the Guangdong Museum of Revolutionary History, Mr Yi Xibing; Legislative Council Member and the Chief Editor of the Hong Kong Chronicles Institute, Professor Lau Chi-pang; the Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ms Vivian Sum; member of the Working Group on Patriotic Education under the Constitution and Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee, Ms Melissa Kaye Pang; the Chairman of the History Sub-committee of the Museum Advisory Committee, Professor Joshua Mok; the President of the Society of Veterans of the Original Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dongjiang Column, Ms Lam Chun; and the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan.

     The exhibition comprises three parts, namely "The Fall of Guangdong and Hong Kong", "The Fierce Resistance", and "The Victory in the War of Resistance", featuring some 40 items/sets of wartime relics. Important exhibits include a silver ring awarded to meritorious personnel of the Zhongshan People's Anti-Japanese Volunteer Battalion in November 1944; the book "Understanding the Total War of Resistance" by writer Guo Moruo, one of Guangzhou's representative anti-war cultural works; a cloth chest badge and binoculars used by the Dongjiang Column; a telegraph announcing Tsang Sang as Commander and Wang Zuoyao as Deputy Commander of the Dongjiang Column; and a commemorative badge for the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dongjiang Column. The exhibition also displays around 150 historical photos on the huge suffering of the people in Guangdong and Hong Kong under the aggression of Japanese militarism, their united resistance and eventual great victory in the War of Resistance. The exhibition presents the historical mission of unity of the people of Guangdong and Hong Kong in resisting the enemy, and commemorates martyrs and compatriots who sacrificed their lives in defending the country.

     The MWRCD has set up a dedicated War of Resistance book corner with a book selection for visitors to acquire an in-depth understanding of the War of Resistance. There are also creative interactive games integrating education with entertainment for members of the public, especially youngsters, to actively learn from history, thereby fostering patriotism, promoting and passing on the values of patriotic education.

     The MWRCD will launch a series of free activities. On September 3, the Victory Day of Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the museum will invite the Deputy President of the Society of Veterans of the Original Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dongjiang Column, Mr Lam Ming, to host a sharing session with local secondary students at 3pm to 4pm. There will also be a collaborative art creation activity, inviting members of the public to write greeting cards to express their feelings about the War of Resistance as well as respect for the martyrs and veterans. The anti-war movie "Life Goes On" will be screened.

     The exhibition is guided by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Guangzhou Municipal Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau (Guangzhou Municipal Cultural Heritage Administration), jointly presented by the Chinese Culture Promotion Office and the Guangdong Museum of Revolutionary History, jointly organised by the MWRCD and the Guangdong Museum of Revolutionary History, and supported by the Hong Kong Chronicle Institute. It is also one of the activities of the Chinese Culture Promotion Series. 

     For details of the exhibition and related activities, please visit the MWRCD website at hk.waranddefence.museum/en/web/mcd/standingtogetherforpeacebuilding.html.

Ends/Thursday, August 28, 2025
Issued at HKT 20:02

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