Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai yesterday presented commemorative medals to the local families of two national martyrs who participated in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in a ceremony, during which he said in a speech that the local government’s awarding of the medals aims to express reverence for the heroes of the war, promote the great spirit of patriotism and the great spirit of the War of Resistance, and demonstrate Macau compatriots’ firm confidence in “remembering history, honouring martyrs, cherishing peace, and creating a great future”.
To mark the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War this year, the nation will hold a grand military parade in Beijing next Wednesday, September 3.
In addition to Sam, yesterday’s ceremony, held at the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM), was also attended by other dignitaries such as Central People’s Government Liaison Office in Macau Director Zheng Xincong, Foreign Ministry Commissioner Liu Xianfa, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Macau Garrison Deputy Commander Dai Jinsong, Macau Legislative Assembly (AL) President Kou Hoi In, and Court of Final Appeal (TUI) President Song Man Lei.
All of the local government’s five policy secretaries also attended the ceremony.
In his speech yesterday, Sam noted that the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was the war in which the Chinese people resisted foreign invasion with the longest duration, the largest scale, and the greatest sacrifices since modern times, adding that “our predecessors” made tremendous sacrifices for the victory in the war and great contributions to the World Anti-Fascist War.
Sam said that the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was a great victory in which the Communist Party of China (CPC) played the role of the mainstay. At critical historical moments concerning national survival, Sam noted, the Party courageously fought on the front lines of the War of Resistance, and with outstanding political leadership and correct strategies, the Party proposed and implemented the general strategic principle of protracted war and the systematic strategies and tactics of people’s war.
Holding high the banner of the national united front against Japanese aggression, Sam said, the Party persisted in extensively mobilising and closely relying on the people, maintained the overall situation of a united war of resistance, guided the direction of the War of Resistance, and achieved the great feat of uniting the entire Chinese nation “with one heart and one mind” to save the nation from subjugation and to defend peace.
Sam said that the spirit of the War of Resistance is the great national spirit forged by the Chinese people during their War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and it is a precious spiritual wealth of the Chinese nation and has always inspired the Chinese people to advance courageously on the path of national rejuvenation.
Nowadays, 80 years after the victory in the War of Resistance, Sam said, the country has achieved remarkable accomplishments in various aspects such as politics, people’s daily lives, economy, technology, and international status, adding that the Chinese people are now closer than ever before in the history to realising the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Sam noted that although compatriots in Macau lived under “special circumstances” during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, they always kept the motherland in their hearts and vigorously supported the War of Resistance in various ways.
Formally, unlike Hong Kong, Macau was not invaded by Japanese troops during the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Portugal, which ruled Macau at that time, maintained a neutral position during the war.
Sam said that “we cannot forget” the moving stories of the resistance by the vast number of Macau compatriots in the “Pearl River Column” under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and “we cannot forget” the heroic footprints left in Macau by General Ye Ting, the people’s musician Xian Xinghai, and other predecessors of the War of Resistance.
At the critical moment of the Chinese nation’s fight for survival, Sam said, the vast number of Macau compatriots used practical actions to demonstrate the close relationship between Macau and the motherland, demonstrating their strong sense of belonging to the nation and strong sense of mission and responsibility, providing a vivid annotation of the great spirit of the War of Resistance.
During yesterday’s ceremony, Sam presented commemorative medals to Ng Cheng Wa, a family member of martyr Wu Fengyu, and Leong Fong Man, a family member of martyr Cai Jun, honouring their forebears’ bravery and symbolising the nation’s profound respect for the families of martyrs.
According to information provided by the government during yesterday’s ceremony, Ng is a daughter of martyr Wu from Guangdong, who joined the East River Column during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. During the War of Liberation, which lasted from 1945 to 1949, he was responsible for escorting supplies. In 1948, he heroically sacrificed his life while carrying out a mission, at the age of 30.
Leong is the daughter-in-law of martyr Cai from Guangdong, who joined the peasant movement in 1923 and later served as secretary of a special committee of the Communist Youth League. He was tragically executed in Guangzhou in 1932, at the age of 22.
Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai shakes hands with Ng Cheng Wa, daughter of martyr Wu Fengyu, after presenting a commemorative medal to her during yesterday’s ceremony at the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM) in Nape. – Photos: GCS
Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai shakes hands with Leong Fong Man, daughter-in-law of martyr Cai Jun, after presenting a commemorative medal to her at the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM) yesterday. – Photos: GCS
