From Colonial Rule to Resistance
As a young man in Taiwan, Lee You-pang endured life under Japan’s colonial rule. Faced with cultural suppression and social hardship, he emerged determined to stand against injustice.
Uniting Taiwan Compatriots in Jinhua
In the early 1940s, during the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, Lee You-pang relocated to the Chinese mainland. In Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, he brought together Taiwan compatriots to form the Taiwan Volunteer Corps—an anti-Japanese unit rooted in shared experience and a common cause.
Healing the Wounds of Bacteriological Warfare
One of the corps’ most vital missions was providing medical aid to civilians struck by Japanese bacteriological weapons. Operating improvised field clinics, the volunteers treated infections, delivered supplies, and offered hope in the face of a brutal and unconventional threat.
A Legacy of Solidarity
Eighty years on, the story of Lee You-pang and the Taiwan Volunteer Corps highlights the power of grassroots solidarity. Their example resonates across borders, inspiring today’s young global citizens to mobilize, support vulnerable communities, and uphold human values in times of crisis.
As global citizens confront new challenges—from pandemics to climate crises—the spirit of the Taiwan Volunteer Corps serves as a reminder: collective action, born from shared adversity, can heal communities and shape history.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
