Hong Kong – Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence unveils today with new exhibition introducing resistance activities of East River Column in Hong Kong and Shenzhen (with photos)

     The Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence (HKMCD) was officially converted into the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence (MWRCD) today (September 3). Meanwhile, the thematic exhibition “Brothers in Arms: War of Resistance Activities of the East River Column in Shenzhen and Hong Kong” was launched at the museum. Members of the public can visit the exhibition with free admission from tomorrow (September 4).
      
     At the unveiling ceremony of the MWRCD, the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said that today (September 3) is the Victory Day of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. This date, marking the Victory Day of this significant historical event, was specifically chosen for the ceremony to underscore its importance. He also stated that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been holding deep respect for the united front presented by the people of the motherland in their resistance against aggression, and commemorates martyrs and compatriots who sacrificed their lives in defence of the nation.
 
     He said the HKSAR Government will spare no effort to promote patriotic education, strengthen people’s national pride and sense of responsibility and ownership. As one of the important cultivation bases for promoting patriotism, the MWRCD will enhance the understanding of the public, in particular young people, about the arduous years during wartime and the contribution of martyrs through permanent and thematic exhibitions on the War of Resistance.
      
     Other officiating guests at the unveiling ceremony included the Secretary General of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, Mr Wang Songmiao; Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR Mr Pan Yundong; Deputy Commander of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison Navy Rear Admiral Tan Zhiwei; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung; the Convenor of the Working Group on Patriotic Education, Ms Starry Lee; the Chairman of the Museum Advisory Committee, Professor Douglas So; the President of the Society of Veterans of the Original Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dongjiang Column, Ms Lam Chun; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Vincent Liu; and the Museum Director of the Hong Kong Museum of History, Mr Terence Cheung.

     The four existing exhibition galleries at the museum showcasing the history of the War of Resistance, namely the “Narrative of the War of Resistance”, “Join Hands to Resist Japanese Invasion”, “Japanese Invasion of Hong Kong” and “Anti-Japanese Guerrillas behind Enemy Lines” galleries, will be collectively known as the “War of Resistance Galleries”. Through the display of massive historic photos and artefacts as well as multimedia programmes, the history of the War of Resistance as well as the activities of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Independent Brigade of the East River Column behind enemy lines will be shown to recognise the significant contribution of the column. After the conversion, the Certificate of Commendation (replica) presented by the HKSAR Government to the Hong Kong and Kowloon Independent Brigade of the East River Column, and the name list of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Independent Brigade of the East River Column on the Roll of Honour 1941-1945 who lost their lives during the period of Japanese occupation, will be displayed near the entrance of the museum’s Reception Building to highlight their importance.

     The first thematic exhibition of the MWRCD will focus on the War of Resistance activities of the East River Column in Hong Kong and Shenzhen. It is jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and the Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality. Addressing the opening ceremony of the exhibition, Mr Yeung expressed gratitude to the Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality for assisting the museum in co-ordinating with Mainland cultural institutions and museums. He also thanked the Shenzhen Dongjiang Column Memorial Hall and the Memorial Hall of Chinese Cultural Celebrity Rescue for providing rich historical materials and valuable input for the preparation of the thematic exhibition so that the exhibition can showcase the heroic sacrifices in a more comprehensive manner, which is an important milestone in the collaboration between Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area cities in promoting history and patriotism.
      
     Other officiating guests at the opening ceremony included Second-level Inspector of the Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality Mr Chen Shaohua; Mr Liu; the Curator of the Shenzhen Dongjiang Column Memorial Hall, Mr Wu Yutian; the Curator of the Memorial Hall of Chinese Cultural Celebrity Rescue, Ms Zhang Zixin; the Chief Editor of the Hong Kong Chronicles Institute, Professor Lau Chi-pang; Professor So; member of the Working Group on Patriotic Education (History, Politics, Economics and Culture Sub-group), Ms Melissa Pang; Ms Lam; and Mr Cheung.
      
     Precious exhibits and historical images in the new exhibition include a cloth bag, a felt blanket and a revolver used by members of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Independent Brigade of the East River Column during wartime, newspapers published by the East River Column (replica), the first issue of the “Tati Pictorial” published in Hong Kong in November 1938, cartoon images of “Miscellaneous Memories of One Hundred Days in Dongjiang” created by cartoonist Ding Cong, and a commemorative medal of the 70th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression loaned by Ms Lam, as well as valuable oral history records from veterans. The exhibition is jointly organised by the MWRCD, the Shenzhen Dongjiang Column Memorial Hall and the Memorial Hall of Chinese Cultural Celebrity Rescue, in collaboration with the Chinese Culture Promotion Office of the LCSD, and supported by the Hong Kong Chronicles Institute. The exhibition will run until July 2 next year.
      
     To allow the MWRCD to become a better local cultivation base for the history of the War of Resistance, the integration of the Government’s public resources and synergy from the community is indispensable in promoting its development. The museum launched a year-long Artefact Collection Campaign for the War of Resistance today to encourage the public to donate objects and historical photos related to the War of Resistance and the Hong Kong and Kowloon Independent Brigade of the East River Column for the museum’s preparation of future thematic exhibitions and for research purposes.
      
     In addition, the MWRCD will launch an array of public programmes, including a War of Resistance mini picture book workshop scheduled for September 8 and September 15 from 3pm to 5pm; a National Day flag raising ceremony and drill performance on October 1, and MWRCD Day scheduled for October 26 and November 16 from 1pm to 5pm. The museum will also collaborate with the Hong Kong Public Libraries to organise a series of outreach programmes “War of Resistance @ Libraries” from September to February next year to enhance interest and understanding of the history of the War of Resistance among the public, especially the young generation, through exhibitions, workshops and book display sessions. For more information on the exhibition and programmes, please visit hk.waranddefence.museum or call 2569 1500 for enquiries.
      
     The LCSD has long been promoting Chinese history and culture through organising an array of programmes and activities to enable the public to learn more about the broad and profound Chinese culture, and to cultivate the public’s sense of national identity. For more information, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/ccpo/index.html.