Starting Wednesday, Hong Kong will host an exhibition themed on Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), featuring 183 wartime cultural relics — a third of which are being shown in the city for the first time.

Officials at the opening ceremony called on residents to remember history, cherish the hard-won peace, and unite for a better tomorrow.

The exhibition, under the theme of “United in Arms, Standing for Peace”, will run through Dec 15 at the Hong Kong Museum of History (HKMH). Entry is free. Jointly organized by cultural institutions from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, 82 pieces come from the National Museum of China’s collection, including eight grade one national treasures. The other items are sourced from local collectors and cultural institutions such as HKMH.

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Several high-ranking officials from the central and special administrative region governments attended the opening ceremony, including Wang Songmiao, secretary-general of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

During his address, Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki highlighted the sacrifices made by our ancestors who built a “Great Wall” to defend the nation with their lives, symbolizing unwavering national will and patriotism. He invited the public, especially young people, to visit this exhibition. He said he hopes that through this exhibition, the public can better commemorate this remarkable yet poignant history, cherish the hard-earned peace, and work together to create a better future.

The nation will celebrate the 80th anniversary of victory of Japan’s unconditional surrender and the end of the World Anti-Fascist War, Chan said, noting that the SAR government will host various commemorative and educational activities. These include visits to wartime sites, workshops, film screenings, and book fairs. He added that the government is renovating wartime sites across districts throughout Hong Kong to deepen residents’ understanding of the country’s history.

Speaking at a media preview, Yang Fan, deputy director of the National Museum of China, emphasized the historical significance of the 82 items from the museum’s collection. Highlights include a wartime edition of Chairman Mao Zedong’s On Protracted War, disguised as a work of literature, and a special 1945 issue of The China Pictorial marking Japan’s surrender.

He expressed hope that these “narrative” items will help foster a comprehensive understanding of wartime history among Hong Kong residents.

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Sun Yu, vice-chairman and Chief Executive of Bank of China (Hong Kong), said that the Bank of China is deeply honoured to support this exhibition as the strategic partner of the National Museum of China. 

The exhibition presents an epic narrative of the Chinese people’s fight for national rejuvenation, justice and human dignity, as well as the significant contributions of Hong Kong compatriots who stood united with the nation in its time of peril and played a vital role in securing victory. In addition, it highlights the unique role played by Bank of China in stabilizing the national financial system, raising funds for the War of Resistance and supporting rear-area reconstruction, said Sun.

"As a leading commercial bank with deep roots in Hong Kong for over a century, Bank of China (Hong Kong) understands that security and stability are the cornerstones of the nation’s development and the people’s livelihood. The Bank will continue to actively fulfil its corporate responsibilities, further promote the spirit of fostering patriotism, advance Hong Kong’s integration into the national development strategy, support the development of Hong Kong as an international financial center, and make meaningful contributions to Hong Kong’s long-term stability and prosperity," Sun added.

Joyce Ho Wai-yee, director of the Hong Kong Museum of History, said the exhibition will also depict Hong Kong’s contributions to the national war effort.

For example, among the exhibits is a 1939 letter of gratitude to the Hong Kong Branch of the Bank of China, issued by Eighth Route Army leaders, including Zhou Enlai, who later became the first premier of the People’s Republic of China, and veteran marshal Ye Jianying. The letter thanked the institution for assisting in fundraising and transferring donations from overseas Chinese to the mainland’s anti-aggression forces.

The exhibition also recreates scenes from internment camps in Hong Kong during the Japanese occupation from December 1941 to August 1945.

The exhibition is one of two large-scale thematic exhibitions in a series of commemorative events initiated by the SAR government. Another exhibition, focusing on the wartime history of Guangdong and Hong Kong regions, will take place from Friday through July 8 at the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence.

Contact the writer at amberwu@chinadailyhk.com