Exhibition Celebrates 80th Anniversary of Victory in Chinese War Against Japanese Aggression

Commemorating martyrs in resistance against Japanese aggression through archives: "Unyielding Land, Eternal Heroes" exhibition revisits Hong Kong's three years and eight months of Japanese occupation

​Today (September 3) marks the Victory Day of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. On this 80th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance, the Public Records Office (PRO) of the Government Records Service (GRS) has specially curated its annual thematic exhibition, this one entitled "Unyielding Land, Eternal Heroes: 80th Anniversary of Victory in the War of Resistance", featuring precious archives and documented heritage for members of the public to revisit Hong Kong's painful period during the Japanese occupation (1941-1945) and understand the heroic resistance of the Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dongjiang Column against the enemy.

On December 25, 1941, Hong Kong entered three years and eight months of Japanese occupation, during which residents suffered from the invasion, severe food shortages and various hardships. During the early stages of the Japanese occupation, the Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dongjiang Column broke through enemy defence lines, successfully rescuing groups of prominent figures in various sectors. Throughout the Japanese occupation, they braved life-and-death danger to engage in combat with the Japanese army, penetrating deep into enemy territories and waters to restrain and attack enemy forces.

This exhibition showcases over 120 selected items, including photographs documenting the daily marches of the Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dongjiang Column and paintings depicting their heroic victories against the enemy, a name list of the Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dongjiang Column who died in the defence of Hong Kong, the "Register of Enemy Properties" documenting property confiscated by the Japanese Military Government, etc. Additionally, the items reveal stories including the then Hong Kong Government pursuing after the war the recovery of books from the libraries of the University of Hong Kong looted by the Japanese forces, the demolition of the Japanese War Memorial, etc. The precious documented heritage bears witness to the harsh lives of Hong Kong residents during the Japanese occupation and the fearless spirit of the anti-Japanese heroes.

The thematic exhibition is open from today onwards from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.45pm (except public holidays), at the Exhibition Hall on the second floor of the Hong Kong Public Records Building at 13 Tsui Ping Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon. Admission is free. In addition to distinctive photo spots, visitors can also experience the weight of the daily rice ration of "6.4 taels" during the Japanese occupation, understanding the hardships of people's lives at that time.

To provide members of the public with a better understanding of this history, the PRO has developed a thematic online exhibition (www.grs.gov.hk/ws/online/80VWR/en/home/index.html). Its Facebook page (www.facebook.com/grs.publicrecordsoffice) will regularly share selected exhibition content and historical stories.

The PRO will also organise roving exhibitions of this thematic exhibition in various districts of Hong Kong. Details will be announced on the GRS website (www.grs.gov.hk) and the PRO Facebook page later. For enquiries, please contact the PRO at 2195 7700 or email to proinfo@grs.gov.hk.

Commemorating martyrs in resistance against Japanese aggression through archives: "Unyielding Land, Eternal Heroes" exhibition revisits Hong Kong's three years and eight months of Japanese occupation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commemorating martyrs in resistance against Japanese aggression through archives: "Unyielding Land, Eternal Heroes" exhibition revisits Hong Kong's three years and eight months of Japanese occupation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commemorating martyrs in resistance against Japanese aggression through archives: "Unyielding Land, Eternal Heroes" exhibition revisits Hong Kong's three years and eight months of Japanese occupation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commemorating martyrs in resistance against Japanese aggression through archives: "Unyielding Land, Eternal Heroes" exhibition revisits Hong Kong's three years and eight months of Japanese occupation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commemorating martyrs in resistance against Japanese aggression through archives: "Unyielding Land, Eternal Heroes" exhibition revisits Hong Kong's three years and eight months of Japanese occupation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commemorating martyrs in resistance against Japanese aggression through archives: "Unyielding Land, Eternal Heroes" exhibition revisits Hong Kong's three years and eight months of Japanese occupation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commemorating martyrs in resistance against Japanese aggression through archives: "Unyielding Land, Eternal Heroes" exhibition revisits Hong Kong's three years and eight months of Japanese occupation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Dog Adoption Carnival 2026 to be held this weekend

The "Let's Go! The Pet Owners' Journey" Dog Adoption Carnival 2026, organised by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), will be held at the Cyberport Arcade between 11am and 6pm this weekend (January 17 and 18). Admission is free. Members of the public are welcome to join the event with their dogs.

The Adoption Carnival aims to encourage members of the public who intend to keep pets, to adopt abandoned or unclaimed animals, as well as promote responsible pet ownership. The co-organisers of the Carnival include Cheung Chau Animal Care, HK Saving Cat and Dog Association, Lifelong Animal Protection Charity, Paws United Charity, Society for Abandoned Animals, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Team for Animals in Lantau South.

Members of the public can interact with dogs that are up for adoption at the Adoption Carnival. Dog keepers can apply for or renew licenses on site. The Carnival also features veterinary consultation services, a dog playground, a virtual reality gaming experience, game booths, an interactive educational exhibition, pet-themed handicraft workshops, as well as sharing sessions by representatives of animal welfare organisations (AWOs) and guest speakers. Participants are welcome to take part with their dogs. However, dogs entering the venue should be licensed (except for those to be licensed on-site), vaccinated against rabies, and microchipped. All dogs should also be kept under proper control.

The AFCD has been committed to encouraging members of the public who wish to keep pets to adopt abandoned or unclaimed animals through the AFCD's partnering AWOs. Upon receiving animals, the AFCD will transfer animals assessed by veterinarians as being in good health and suitable for adoption to partnering AWOs for adoption by members of the public. The AFCD provides free desexing operations for cats, dogs and rabbits adopted through partnering AWOs.

For details of the event, please visit the thematic website of the "Let's Go! The Pet Owners' Journey" Dog Adoption Carnival 2026 (www.petswithlove.com.hk).

Source: AI-found images