Hundreds of representatives of Hong Kong societies paid their respect to those who gave their lives resisting Japanese aggressors during World War II at the Memorial Monument for the Sai Kung Martyrs in Tsam Chuk Wan on Saturday.

A solemn wreath-laying ceremony on Saturday was hosted by the Society of the Veterans of the Original Hong Kong Independent Battalion of The Dong Jiang Column with support of Sai Kung District Office of the Hong Kong SAR Home Affairs Department.

Against the backdrop of the national anthem of China, the five-star national flag was raised slowly and gracefully. All attendees stood in reverence facing the flag and observed a moment of silence to honor the anti-Japanese martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country.

At the center of the wreaths placed in front of the monument was one offered by John Lee Ka-chiu, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The inscription on the wreath read "heroic martyrs of the anti-Japanese war, model of loyalty and righteousness", conveying the profound grief and reverence felt by Lee himself as well as the HKSAR government.

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Addressing the event, Lin Ming, vice-president of the Society of the Veterans of the Original Hong Kong Independent Battalion of The Dong Jiang Column, said: "We're gathering here today with reverence at this national-level memorial facility to commemorate the anti-Japanese martyrs. We must inherit the will of the martyrs, carry forward the spirit of patriotism, and work together to build a better home. We will firmly uphold the 'one country, two systems' principle and strive alongside the people of the entire nation to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and to comfort the souls of the martyrs in heaven."

Lin recounted the history of the Original Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dong Jiang Column, from its establishment to its heroic battles. Eighty three years ago, when Japanese militarism launched the Pacific War and occupied Hong Kong, residents of Hong Kong were living in great difficulty. The very day after the Japanese invasion into Hong Kong, anti-Japanese guerrilla forces led by the Communist Party of China (CPC) advanced into Hong Kong.

On Feb 3, 1942, the Original Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dong Jiang Column, composed primarily of Hong Kong civilians, was established to lead the residents of Hong Kong in armed resistance in defending their homeland. Lin noted that during the three years and eight months of Hong Kong's occupation by Japanese forces, the Hong Kong Independent Battalion was the only organized unit that persisted in armed anti-Japanese resistance.

"More than 90 percent of the guerrilla fighters were native Hong Kong residents, making the armed anti-Japanese history of the Original Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dong Jiang Column an integral part of the armed resistance history of Hong Kong," Lin added.

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More than 200 people attended the ceremony, including representatives from various sectors. Attendees included representatives of the People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison and the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the Hong Kong SAR, President of the Society of the Veterans of the Original Hong Kong Independent Battalion of The Dong Jiang Column Lam Chun, Director of the Hong Kong SAR Home Affairs Department Alice Cheung Chiu Hoi-yue, SAR and Sai Kung District officials and legislative councilors, as well as many representatives from varied sectors.

All the attendees paid their respects and laid floral tributes at the monument, mourning the martyrs and their sacrifices.