Hong Kong Marks The End Of Japanese Occupation

Hong Kong on Sunday marked the 75th anniversary of the day residents first heard news of the Japanese surrender, ending three years and eight months of Hong Kong’s occupation, but the SAR officials and disciplined services were conspicuous by their absence at the ceremony.

Consul generals of Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, as well as veterans paid respects and laid wreaths and observed silence for two minutes to remember those killed.

But Hong Kong government had only a token presence, in the form of a wreath that was sent on behalf of the Home Affairs Department. Nor was there any presence of the local police at the event.

Wreaths were also laid by organisations of retired police officers, ex-servicemen and the Prisoners of War Association. Lance Men from the Hong Kong Adventure Corp stood sentry at the shrine.

It was a private ceremony this year due to Covid-19 restrictions.

During Hong Kong’s occupation, the population halved with many being forced to leave for the mainland and an unknown numbers dying of starvation.

Many also of those who had fought to defend Hong Kong were put in prisoner of war camps or sent as slave labour to Japan.