Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by the Hon Chan Yung and a written reply by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, in the Legislative Council today (May 21):
Question:
This year marks the 80th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance, and Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao will also co-host the 15th National Games (15th NG) this year. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) given that in its reply to my question on February 26 this year, the Government indicated that the Working Group on Patriotic Education would co-ordinate various policy bureaux and government departments in launching a series of commemorative activities for the 80th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance, of the current progress of the Government’s preparation for such activities; and
(2) whether it will consider combining the publicity work for the 15th NG and the commemorative activities for the 80th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance to achieve a synergy effect, thereby creating a widespread atmosphere of affection for our country and Hong Kong?
Reply:
President,
Having consulted the relevant bureaux, a consolidated reply in response to the questions raised by the Hon Chan Yung is as follows:
This year marks the 80th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance as well as the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. As mentioned in the reply in February this year, the Working Group on Patriotic Education led by the Chief Secretary for Administration has been co-ordinating the relevant bureaux and departments in launching a series of commemorative activities, and relevant preparations are progressing steadily. A diverse range of activities with rich content are under planning, including a memorial ceremony, thematic exhibitions, educational programmes for the public and students, enhancement of hiking trails and related tourism supporting facilities, as well as production of thematic videos for extensive promotion. Through such activities, we hope the members of the public would remember history and pay tribute to the martyrs. Specific examples include:
(1) The HKSAR Government will host a solemn official ceremony at the Hong Kong City Hall Memorial Garden on September 3, the Victory Day of the War of Resistance, to honour the occasion;
(2) The Home Affairs Department will provide funding and support to organisations for staging commemorative activities in the community, for instance, talks by veterans to recount their experiences during the War, and film shows about the War, with a view to deepening the understanding among members of the public about the historical events of the War on the Mainland and in Hong Kong, and fostering their sense of patriotism;
(3) The Hong Kong Museum of History of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) is working with the National Museum of China on co-organising a large-scale thematic exhibition; the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence will jointly organise a thematic exhibition with the Guangdong Museum of Revolutionary History; and the LCSD will also organise a thematic talk “Reapproaching the Japanese Occupation of Hong Kong from interactive map, 1941-1945” and a book display “Days of War” at the Hong Kong Central Library, as well as book displays, photo exhibitions and thematic talks at public libraries in different districts. Besides, the LCSD is planning for an array of workshops, field trips, and film screenings, etc;
(4) The Education Bureau is planning a series of activities including an academic seminar on the 80th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance, a lecture on the historical contributions of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Independent Brigade of the East River Column, roving exhibitions at schools on the history of the War, a territory-wide comic creative competition for secondary school students on the theme of the War, and field study tours on the history of the War on the Mainland and in Hong Kong;
(5) Through the “HYAB Funding Scheme for Youth Exchange in the Mainland” in 2025-26, the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) provides funding to around 20 non-governmental organisations to organise youth exchange programmes with the theme of the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the War of Resistance, offering around 1 000 places. Also, the HYAB will co-ordinate the youth uniformed groups and non-governmental organisations in organising the relevant activities;
(6) The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) is enhancing the tourism supporting facilities of hiking trails with historical significance during the War, including the Lion Rock Historic Walk, Shing Mun War Relics Trail and Luk Keng War Relics Trail. The AFCD also installed interpretation panels at the Robin’s Nest Country Park to introduce the war relics there and the contributions of nearby villagers during the War, and produced and broadcast videos on social media platforms to let the public learn about the war history in the Robin’s Nest and Lin Ma Hang areas; and
(7) The Information Services Department is producing a mini drama themed “Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the War of Resistance”.
The specifics of the above activities are being worked out. We would announce the details in due course. Apart from the abovementioned activities which are spearheaded by government bureaux/departments, we understand that many community groups or organisations also intend to organise commemorative activities in various forms.