Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence Launches Thematic Exhibition "Youth Heading to Yan'an: Patriotic Youth During the War of Resistance"

Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence launches thematic exhibition "Youth Heading to Yan'an: Patriotic Youth During the War of Resistance"

The Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence (MWRCD) is collaborating with the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration to stage the "Youth Heading to Yan'an: Patriotic Youth During the War of Resistance" thematic exhibition. The exhibition will run from August 28 to July 7, 2027. The exhibition brings revolutionary relics from three cultural and heritage institutions in Shaanxi Province to Hong Kong for the first time. It illustrates how the Communist Party of China (CPC) led the resistance during the War of Resistance, offering an overview of the patriotic youths from across the country and international friends who travelled to Yan'an to support the war effort. It also presents the history of the deep bond between Yan'an and Hong Kong amid the flames of war, enhancing public understanding of the significant contributions made by the CPC and the patriotic spirit of the youth of that time. Admission is free.

Addressing the opening ceremony today (August 27), the Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Miss Eve Tam, said that during the War of Resistance, countless patriotic youths stepped forward and travelled to Yan'an to support the war effort. Hong Kong, leveraging its unique political and geographical background, served not only as a window to publicise the resistance to the international community, but also as a vital transit hub for overseas relief supplies. Apart from honouring martyrs and commemorating the outstanding contributions of predecessors to the War of Resistance, the exhibition aims to pass on this timeless spirit of patriotism across generations. She added that the MWRCD has long shouldered the important mission of promoting the history of the War of Resistance, allowing the public to gain a deeper understanding of the history of the War of Resistance and the sacrifice of martyrs, and to cultivate national identity and patriotism among students and the general public through organising regular thematic exhibitions and diverse public education activities. Last year, the MWRCD held over 1 600 educational activities and received an attendance of over 170 000.

Other officiating guests included the Second-level Inspector of the Education and Youth Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr Cui Feng; Deputy Director of the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration Mr Ma Baoshou; the Convenor of the Working Group on Patriotic Education under the Constitution and Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee, Dr Eliza Chan; the Chief Editor of the Hong Kong Chronicles Institute, Professor Lau Chi-pang; 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; and the Head of the Chinese Culture Promotion Office, Mr Terence Cheung.

This exhibition comprises three parts, namely "United in the War of Resistance: A Guiding Beacon", "Chasing Dreams in the Holy Land: A Shared Journey of Youth", and "Backed by the Motherland, Connected to the World", featuring approximately 24 sets of exhibits from the Memorial Museum of the Eighth Route Army Xi'an Office, the Yan'an Literature and Art Memorial Museum, and the Chinese People's Anti-Japanese Military and Political University Memorial Hall, displayed in Hong Kong for the first time. The exhibits include "On the United Front: Our Proposal to Resist Japan and Save the Nation in the Past Year" published in 1937, the piano sheet music in German used by famous female composer and pianist Ji Ming, a graduation certificate of the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University in 1940, a bugle used by the Eighth Route Army, and a medal for model youth issued by the Political Department of the 18th Army Group, and more. Among them are five second-grade and four third-grade cultural relics. There are also five cultural relics from Hong Kong, including "The Eastern Pictorial" in 1941 and a vinyl record of "Sending Winter Clothes" by Lam Yee-mui from 1938, alongside over 90 photographs which portray the history of the War of Resistance in Yan'an.

In addition to the thematic exhibition gallery, the exhibition also features the "Interactive Yan'an" zone and the "Youth Academy" education corner, which feature bite-sized facts about Yan'an and multimedia programmes to allow visitors to explore the "Revolutionary Holy Land" of Yan'an from multiple perspectives. To complement the exhibition, the MWRCD will organise a series of activities, including thematic lectures, workshops, film screenings, and musical performances, highlighting Yan'an's tremendous contributions during the War of Resistance as well as its historical connection with Hong Kong in an easy-to-understand manner.

The exhibition is jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration and jointly organised by the Chinese Culture Promotion Office, the MWRCD, the Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center and the Memorial Museum of the Eighth Route Army Xi'an Office. For details of the exhibition, please visit the website of the MWRCD at hk.waranddefence.museum/en/web/mcd/youthheadingtoyanan.html.

The "Youth Heading to Yan'an: Patriotic Youth During the War of Resistance" thematic exhibition will be staged at the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence from tomorrow (August 28) to July 7, 2027. Photo shows the "Youth Academy" education corner which features bite-sized facts about Yan'an, including its history and intangible cultural heritage. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The "Youth Heading to Yan'an: Patriotic Youth During the War of Resistance" thematic exhibition will be staged at the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence from tomorrow (August 28) to July 7, 2027. Photo shows the "Interactive Yan'an" zone. Visitors can put on the Eighth Route Army gear. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The "Youth Heading to Yan'an: Patriotic Youth During the War of Resistance" thematic exhibition will be staged at the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence from tomorrow (August 28) to July 7,2027. Photo shows "The Eastern Pictorial” published in 1941, which was founded by the Hong Kong branch of the Commercial Press and covered a wide range of topics, including the latest news in the War of Resistance, science, economics, industry trends and literary works. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The "Youth Heading to Yan'an: Patriotic Youth During the War of Resistance" thematic exhibition will be staged at the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence from tomorrow (August 28) to July 7, 2027. Photo shows the vinyl record of "Sending Winter Clothes" from Lam Yee-mui in 1938. She sold the record for charity to appeal for public donations to aid compatriots during the national crisis. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The "Youth Heading to Yan'an: Patriotic Youth During the War of Resistance" thematic exhibition will be staged at the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence from tomorrow (August 28) to July 7, 2027. Photo shows a medal for model youth issued by the Political Department of the 18th Army Group. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The "Youth Heading to Yan'an: Patriotic Youth During the War of Resistance" thematic exhibition will be staged at the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence from tomorrow (August 28) to July 7, 2027. Photo shows a bugle used by the Eighth Route Army (replica). The Eighth Route Army sounded the bugle to signal a charge during the War of Resistance. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The "Youth Heading to Yan'an: Patriotic Youth During the War of Resistance" thematic exhibition will be staged at the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence from tomorrow (August 28) to July 7, 2027. Photo shows a graduation certificate issued on June 1, 1940, to cadet Ding Jun of the 5th Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cadre of the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The "Youth Heading to Yan'an: Patriotic Youth During the War of Resistance" thematic exhibition will be staged at the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence from tomorrow (August 28) to July 7, 2027. Photo shows the piano sheet music in German used by famous female composer and pianist Ji Ming who organised many singing movements for national salvation during the War of Resistance. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The "Youth Heading to Yan'an: Patriotic Youth During the War of Resistance" thematic exhibition will be staged at the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence from tomorrow (August 28) to July 7, 2027. Photo shows "On the United Front: Our Proposal to Resist Japan and Save the Nation in the Past Year" published in 1937. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The "Youth Heading to Yan'an: Patriotic Youth During the War of Resistance" thematic exhibition will be staged at the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence from tomorrow (August 28) to July 7, 2027. Photo shows the officiating guests touring the exhibition. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The opening ceremony of the "Youth Heading to Yan'an: Patriotic Youth During the War of Resistance" thematic exhibition was held at the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence today (August 27). Photo shows (from right) the President of the Society of Veterans of the Original Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dongjiang Column, Ms Lam Chun; the Chief Editor of the Hong Kong Chronicles Institute, Professor Lau Chi-pang; Deputy Director of the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration Mr Ma Baoshou; the Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services Miss Eve Tam; Second-level Inspector of the Education and Youth Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr Cui Feng; the Convenor of the Working Group on Patriotic Education under the Constitution and Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee, Dr Eliza Chan; the Chairman of the Museum Advisory Committee, Professor Douglas So; and the Head of the Chinese Culture Promotion Office, Mr Terence Cheung. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH clarifies COVID-19 vaccination arrangements

In response to comments from a medical organisation about a lack of stock of COVID-19 vaccines and concerns about low COVID-19 vaccination rates, as well as related media enquiries, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (November 11) issued the following clarification:

Scientific evidence shows that COVID-19 vaccines are effective in reducing the risk of severe disease and death. Following the recommendations of the World Health Organization, and the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases(Joint Scientific Committee) under the CHP, the CHP has continuously encouraged the public to receive the vaccine at appropriate times to minimise the risk of severe disease and death after being infected by COVID-19. Thanks to the government's and relevant sectors' continuous efforts to promote vaccination, the uptake rate of the initial doses of COVID-19 vaccine in Hong Kong exceeds 90 per cent, which is considered high internationally.

Regarding COVID-19 booster vaccination, the Joint Scientific Committee recommended them only for high-risk priority groups. Besides, one must receive a vaccine booster at least 180 days after their last dose or COVID-19 infection (whichever is later). Therefore, the vaccination rate is expected to be relatively low. Due to reinfection or vaccination, many people infected with COVID-19 experience milder symptoms and chose not to seek medical care. The Government faces limitations in collecting and reviewing the latest infection figures. As a result, the actual vaccination rates for high-risk priority groups cannot be accurately determined.

The CHP previously announced that the shelf life of the LP.8.1 vaccine for children and adults would expire in mid-July and early September of this year respectively, and that the production and shipment of COVID-19 vaccines containing new ingredients would take time. Starting October 29, the CHP has been providing the Spikevax XFG mRNA vaccine to childrenaged 6 months to 11 years. The first shipment of the new batch of Spikevax XFG vaccine for individuals aged 12 or above is expected to arrive in Hong Kong next month (December). By then, market supply will resume and private doctors will be able to order from pharmaceutical companies as usual. During this transitional period while awaiting vaccine production and delivery, the absence of COVID-19 vaccinations for adults is normal and temporary.

Regarding COVID-19 vaccination venues, the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines currently in use require complex cold-chain handling and have a limited shelf life after thawing. To provide convenience to the public, minimise vaccine wastage and ensure vaccine efficacy, the Government has set up a total of 75 COVID-19 vaccination venues across Hong Kong, including Specialist Out-patient Clinics (SOPCs) and Family Medicine Clinics (FMCs) in public hospitals, private clinics, Maternal and Child Health Centres, etc. Given that patients co-infected with seasonal influenza and COVID-19 are at a higher risk of severe complications and death, the CHP all along recommends that priority groups receive both seasonal influenza vaccination and COVID-19 vaccination booster to reduce the risk of serious illness and death.Eligible persons can receive both COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations at all current COVID-19 vaccination venues, including SOPCs and FMCs of the concerned public hospitals, as well as private clinics. Therefore, the CHP considers that there is currently no need to further expand the number of COVID-19 vaccination venues.

According to a survey conducted by the medical organisation concerned, nearly 40 per cent of the doctors surveyed do not proactively remind patients to receive COVID-19 vaccination. The CHP expressed concern about this and urged healthcare professionals to proactively remind patients of the importance of receiving COVID-19 vaccination in a timely manner. Even if their clinics do not provide vaccination services, healthcare professionals can still provide patients with information about the Government's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme to help safeguard public health.

The CHP will continue to strengthen publicity and education efforts through various online and offline channels to encourage priority groups to receive COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible once the COVID-19 vaccines for persons aged 12 or above is available.

For more information about the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, please visit the CHP's website.

Source: AI-found images