Memorial for Dongji fishermen’s rescue of British POWs unveiled in Zhoushan; British MP urges ‘tragedy must be remembered’

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On Tuesday, the Memorial for Dongji Fishermen's Rescue of British Prisoners of War was unveiled on Qingbang Island in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang Province. Lucy Powell, the UK Labour Party Leader of the House of Commons, expressed her appreciation for the memorial's unveiling, noting "This tragedy should be remembered."

In October 1942, the Lisbon Maru, a cargo vessel requisitioned by the Japanese army to transport more than 1,800 prisoners of war (POWs) from Hong Kong to Japan, was struck by US forces off the Zhoushan Islands. As the ship sank, local fishermen risked their lives to rescue more than 300 POWs, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

To commemorate this history and the China-UK people-to-people friendship, this memorial was unveiled on Qingbang Island on Tuesday, Zhejiang local media outlet CZTV reported.

At the unveiling ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang delivered a written address, saying that the rescue of the Lisbon Maru serves as an important testament to China and the UK standing together as allies during World War II in combating fascist aggression. 

"We should remember history, carry forward friendship, enhance exchanges, deepen cooperation, continuously strengthen the foundation of bilateral friendship between our peoples, and promote the steady and enduring development of China-UK relations," Zheng said.

"This tragedy should be remembered," said Powell, when asked about the memorial on May 15. "And I am heartened by the memorial's unveiling."

The memorial stands at a rocky cave, locally known as Xiaohai Cave, where three British survivors had once hidden, who, with the assistance of Dongji fishermen, evaded a large-scale Japanese military manhunt in 1942, the Zhejiang Daily reported.

The monument measures 4.5 meters long, 1.8 meters high and 1.7 meters wide, weighing around one ton. It bears the inscription "Love knows no boundary; Friendship transcends time" to commemorate the 1942 Lisbon Maru rescue.

The structure depicts stormy waves crashing against reefs and ships, with its central motif of clasped arms representing rescuers and survivors. This symbolizes fishermen pulling victims from the sea, forging a life-saving bond, according to the report.

"The tightly clasped hands embody immense strength, a strength that carries a profound mission," said the memorial's designer, Zhai Xiaoshi, a professor at the China Academy of Art.

The left side of the monument features bilingual Chinese and English inscriptions recounting the Dongji fishermen's rescue of British POWs during the Lisbon Maru incident.

A total of 18 descendants of British POWs from the Lisbon Maru shipwreck, who traveled from the UK, and descendants of Dongji fishermen jointly attended the ceremony, Zhejiang Daily reported.

"Establishing this memorial was my father's wish, shared by all surviving British POWs," said Denise Wynne, daughter of Lisbon Maru survivor Dennis Morley, tearing up as the host recounted the fishermen's heroism. 

"Now our descendants are accessible to visit and remember ancestors' sacrifices and the rescuers' bravery, and take pride in this legacy," Wynne added.

She also noted that the monument not only preserves history but also honors the enduring friendship between Chinese and British peoples.

Wu Xiaofei, a descendant of Dongji fishermen, said that seeing the sculpture, made him vividly picture his Chinese ancestors fearlessly saving lives amid gunfire, disregarding their own safety. 

"Their courageous spirit and life-saving bond will endure through generations," said Wu.