Visitors attend an exhibition at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War on August 6, 2025. Photo: VCG

 
Local authorities in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) organized a series of special exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and site visits to solemnly commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, a local official revealed on Wednesday. These initiatives aim to revisit that pivotal chapter in history, promote the spirit of patriotism, and foster a deeper sense of national identity among Hong Kong residents.

Secretary for Culture, Sports, and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui said on Wednesday that the Bureau of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of the HKSAR government, alongside the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, has curated a series of thematic exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and field visits to mark the anniversary. 

Notably, the Hong Kong Museum of History and the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence will collaborate with the National Museum of China and the Guangdong Museum of Revolutionary History to present a series of exhibitions this month. These exhibits will provide an in-depth review of the history of the war, including the special history of Hong Kong during this period, Law said. 

The local official also emphasized that the HKSAR government will fully utilize Hong Kong's rich cultural and historical resources to highlight the unique contributions the city made during the war. By strengthening cooperation with various sectors of society, these efforts will further promote patriotism and foster a deeper understanding and recognition of the country and the nation among Hong Kong's nationals, she said. 

In commemoration of the anniversary, several films focused on remembering the war history and promoting the spirit of resistance have recently been screened in Hong Kong, sparking strong attention. 

One of the films, Dongji Island, which is based on the heroic story of Chinese fishermen risking their lives to rescue British prisoners, is set to be released on August 28 in Hong Kong, according to media reports. 

Another documentary on a similar theme, The Sinking of Lisbon Maru, was released on July 24 in the city. 

This piece of history is a vivid patriotic textbook, reminding everyone that history should not be forgotten and that peace and stability are hard-won, Starry Lee Wai-king, a member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and a member of Hong Kong's Legislative Council, was quoted as saying in the reports. "I believe revisiting this history will deepen the understanding of patriotism and the spirit of resistance, especially among young people in Hong Kong," Lee said. 

Another WWII-themed film set to be released in Hong Kong in August is Dead to Rights, which depicts the real evidence of Japanese war crimes during the 1937 Nanjing Massacre.

According to a recent report from the local media Hong Kong China News Agency, the film will be distributed in Hong Kong by Emperor Motion Pictures and is scheduled for release in August, with the exact dates yet to be announced. 

The local media also commented that whether it's the awakening and resistance of ordinary people in Dead to Rights, or the solidarity shown in Dongji Island and The Sinking of Lisbon Maru, these films, marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, provide Hong Kong audiences with valuable reflections on peace through the big screen.