Chinese embassy in the Philippines honors anti-Japanese aggression martyrs in Manila

On December 13, China's National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan led embassy diplomats to the Manila Chinese Cemetery to pay tribute to Chinese martyrs who died in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

Those honored included Yang Guangsheng, then Chinese consul general in Manila, and seven other Chinese diplomats who were killed by Japanese forces in 1942, as well as fallen members of the Philippine-Chinese anti-Japanese aggression guerrilla forces.

Embassy officials observed a moment of silence and laid wreaths at the memorials to Yang Guangsheng, fallen embassy staff and the guerrilla forces. More than 90-year-old Lv Shuiya, a veteran of the guerrilla forces, attended the ceremony.

In January 1942, after Japanese troops occupied Manila, they attempted to force Consul General Yang to surrender and demanded that he persuade Chinese nationals in the Philippines to pledge loyalty to Japan. Yang and his colleagues firmly refused. After enduring severe torture, they were killed by Japanese forces in April of that year.

Later in 1942, the Philippine-Chinese anti-Japanese aggression guerrilla detachment was formed. From 1942 to 1945, the unit carried out more than 260 military operations against Japanese forces, with over 70 fighters sacrificing their lives.

To commemorate the contributions of overseas Chinese who fought against Japanese aggression, the Chinese community in the Philippines established memorial monuments and a memorial hall at the Manila Chinese Cemetery.

Ambassador Jing said the establishment of the National Memorial Day reflects the Chinese people's firm opposition to wars of aggression, their commitment to safeguarding human dignity, and their determination to uphold world peace.

He stressed that the sacrifices of the anti-Japanese aggression martyrs must never be forgotten, and called on Chinese diplomats to carry forward their unyielding spirit and sense of duty in contributing to national reunification and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.