A female war veteran speaks at the premiere of a historical documentary film titled Hong Kong Heroes at Sai Kung Jockey Club Town Hall, Hong Kong on Feb 2, 2024. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

A historical documentary film, Hong Kong Heroes, made its debut in Hong Kong on Friday afternoon, paying tribute to the valiant history of a Hong Kong anti-Japanese guerrilla force — the Hong Kong-Kowloon Independent Brigade — and commemorating the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.

The premiere of the film took place at the Sai Kung Jockey Club Town Hall, bringing together 350 guests including government officials, lawmakers, leaders of social organizations, and students.

The documentary employed a blend of historical videos, images, photographs, and oral records to recount the story of the brigade’s armed resistance against the invaders

The event commenced with a national flag-raising ceremony, followed by patriotic songs and screening of the documentary film.

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Spanning over two hours, the documentary employed a blend of historical videos, images, photographs, and oral records to recount the story of the brigade’s armed resistance against the invaders during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong.

Formally established in February 1942, the brigade consisted predominantly of Hong Kong residents mainly hailing from the New Territories. Comprising workers, peasants, teachers, seamen, students and overseas compatriots, it stood as a testament to the collective determination of the local populace to defend their homeland from Japanese aggression.

Anti-Japanese guerrilla forces sprang up in Guangdong province in 1938, when the Japanese invasion reached the southern regions of China.  Following the fall of Hong Kong in late 1941, numerous local people rallied to join the guerrillas, ultimately leading to the establishment of the Hong Kong-Kowloon Brigade in February 1942. 

In December 1943, the East River Column led by the Communist Party of China was founded to lead the anti-Japanese warfare in the region, and the brigade was later renamed as the Hong Kong-Kowloon Independent Brigade and served as one of the column’s integral subunits.

Students present flower bouquets to war veterans during the premiere ceremony of Hong Kong Heroes at Sai Kung Jockey Club Town Hall, Hong Kong on Feb 2, 2024. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

A PLA official and another person help a female war veteran (center) at the premiere ceremony of Hong Kong Heroes at Sai Kung Jockey Club Town Hall, Hong Kong on Feb 2, 2024.  (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

People wave Chinese national and Hong Kong regional flags at the premiere of documentary film Hong Kong Heroes at Sai Kung Jockey Club Town Hall, Hong Kong on Feb 2, 2024. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

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Using guerrilla tactics, soldiers of the brigade fiercely resisted the Japanese and actively supported Chinese and Allied forces in organizing counter-offensives, making invaluable contributions to China’s triumph in the War of Resistance against Japan Aggression.

Contact the writer at oasishu@chinadailyhk.com