On Saturday, December 13, 2025, the Chinese embassy in Manila observed a solemn ceremony at the Manila Chinese Cemetery in honor of martyrs of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The event marked the Chinese mainland's National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims.
Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan led a delegation of embassy diplomats in laying wreaths at memorials for Yang Guangsheng (the consul general in Manila in 1942) and seven other diplomats who were killed by Japanese forces, alongside fallen members of the Philippine-Chinese guerrilla detachment.
More than 90 years after the first battles of the local resistance, veteran guerrilla fighter Lv Shuiya, now in her 90s, joined the ceremony, offering a living link to the defiant legacy of those who fought. Between 1942 and 1945, the guerrilla unit carried out over 260 operations (averaging nearly 65 actions each year) against occupying forces, with more than 70 fighters sacrificing their lives.
The story of Consul General Yang underscores the bitter choices faced under occupation. In January 1942, Japanese troops occupied Manila and demanded Yang persuade Chinese nationals in the Philippines to pledge loyalty to Japan. He and his colleagues refused, endured severe torture, and were executed in April of that year.
In the years that followed, the Philippine-Chinese anti-Japanese aggression guerrilla detachment formed and joined the broader resistance effort, earning a place in both local and Chinese histories. To honor their contributions, the overseas Chinese community in the Philippines established monuments and a memorial hall at the cemetery, creating a permanent space for reflection.
Ambassador Jing emphasized that National Memorial Day is not just about remembering the past; it is a reminder of the Chinese mainland's firm opposition to aggression, the value of human dignity, and the shared responsibility to uphold world peace. He called on today's diplomats to carry forward the martyrs' unyielding spirit in contributing to national reunification and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
As young global citizens, the ceremony invites us to reflect on the importance of remembering history's lessons, supporting human rights, and working together across borders to build a peaceful future.
Reference(s):
Chinese embassy honors anti-Japanese aggression martyrs in Manila
cgtn.com
