By Li Yuhui
HONG KONG, May 20 -- To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the monument at the historic site of the Transportation Hub of the Hong Kong-Kowloon Independent Brigade of the East River Column was unveiled at Wan Chai Village, Sham Chung, New Territories, in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on May 19.
The Hong Kong-Kowloon Independent Brigade of the East River Column was the only armored force against Japanese aggression composed mainly of Hong Kong citizens under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC). The Li Family Clan House in Sham Chung once served as the Intelligence and Transportation Hub for the Hong Kong-Kowloon Independent Brigade of the East River Column from 1942 to 1944.
According to Liu Shuyong, a senior researcher on the history of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong-Kowloon Independent Brigade of the East River Column maintained six transportation lines, which played critical roles in intelligence transmission, transportation of supplies, and other tasks. The Li Family Clan had made significant contributions to efforts including protecting Chinese guerrilla soldiers and raising military provisions. The building therefore is of great historical value and cultural relics value. It is also the historical evidence of the CPC leading the Hong Kong citizens in their vigorous resistance against Japanese aggression.
Kenneth Lau Ip-keung, Chairman of the New Territories Heung Yee Kuk and member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) said that the Transportation Hub of the Hong Kong-Kowloon Independent Brigade of the East River Column embodies the great spirit of unity and joint resistance against external enemies of HKSAR and the mainland compatriots. Preserving the historic site and erecting the monument can allow future generations to recall the sacrifices and contributions of their predecessors and inspire and carry forward the merit of loving the motherland and HKSAR.
