An ongoing exhibition is providing insights into the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and its aviation heroes through a variety of informative exhibits at the basement level of the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform Complex in Sai Van, aka Forum Macao Complex.
Titled “Heroic Souls Cast in the Vast Sky – Exhibition on the Historical Facts of Aviation during the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (Macao Tour)”, the exhibition opened earlier this week, with exhibits in English and Chinese presented through Monday.
The full-scale war ravaged the country from September 18, 1931 to September 2, 1945, having started when Japan invaded Northeast China (Manchuria) in the infamous Mukden Incident.
According to DeepSeek, on September 18, 1931, Japanese troops deliberately blew up a small section of railway they controlled near Shenyang (then called Mukden) in northeast China. They blamed Chinese troops for the sabotage and used this as a pretext to attack the nearby Chinese barracks that same night, launching a full-scale invasion of northeast China.
Japan surrendered on September 2, 1945. While Japan announced its intention to surrender on August 15, 1945, September 2 is the date the formal, legally binding surrender was signed, marking the official end of World War II in the Asia-Pacific region.
The ceremony concluded at 9:18 a.m, a symbolic moment that echoes the September 18, 1931 Mukden Incident that started the rapacious war.
This is why September 3 is recognised in China as the “Victory Day” (中國人民抗日戰爭勝利紀念日) for the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
At the exhibition, upon entering, visitors are briefed about the history of Japan’s atrocious war against the Chinese people, with a statement displayed at the venue highlighting the war as marking “the first complete victory won by the Chinese people against foreign aggression in modern history” which was a historic turning point for the nation.
The statement further highlights the extraordinarily brave efforts of its aviation heroes, noting that officers and soldiers of the Chinese Airforce fought with “unwavering resolve for national survival, national rejuvenation, and the universal cause for human justice”, as well as pointed out their sacrifices and contributions towards victory.
Among the exhibits are also those that note the support provided by both the Soviet Union and the US, with the foreword adding that hundreds of airmen were sent to fight shoulder to shoulder with their Chinese counterparts.
In all, the aviation martyrs’ “heroic deeds and noble spirit will forever be engraved in the hearts of the Chinese people and people across the world”, as pointed out in one of the exhibits.
The highly didactical exhibition is organised by the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR, the Nanjing Dr. Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Administration Bureau, the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao), and the Macao Historical Society, according to a statement by the office on Monday.
Monday’s opening event was attended by Bian Lixin, Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR; Wallis O Lam, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture; Deputy Director Yang Weiqun of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; and Deputy Commander Dai Jinsong of the People’s Liberation Army Macao Garrison, according to the statement.
Also over 100 representatives from the local educational and cultural sectors, along with secondary school teachers and students, attended the opening ceremony, the statement said.
Photos of the exhibits taken by Rui Pastorin yesterday afternoon.
