Museum highlights anti-Japanese aggression

The Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance against Japanese Aggression is hosting a special exhibition of historic artifacts relating to the Taiwan people's resistance against Japanese suppression during the first half of the 20th century.

The exhibition commemorates the 68th anniversary of Taiwan's retrocession from Japan.

The items on display include 330 historic photos and 72 relics reflecting different aspects of defiance during the period of Japanese rule, many of which are on display for the first time.

The descendants of anti-Japanese leaders in Taiwan donated 30 items to the exhibition, and a reception ceremony was held on Thursday.

Qiu Xiuzhi, granddaughter of Taiwan anti-Japanese hero Qiu Fengjia, donated a 1940s geography textbook of China.

"My uncle, Qiu Niantai, sent these Chinese textbook to us from the mainland; he didn't want us to forget our culture and our motherland," Qiu said.

"We were taught Japanese in school during that time."

Lin Guanghui from the Wufeng Lin family, one of the five great historic families in Taiwan, brought an iron plate with the words "license for opium consumption", inscribed on it, evidence of the Japanese establishing an opium monopoly in Taiwan.

Other relics include clothes once worn by Taiwan anti-Japanese heroes, patriotic novels written by Taiwan anti-Japanese writers, and a receipt for a loan to purchase provisions for anti-Japanese soldiers.

The exhibition will last until April 2014.

"These donations are unique and precious, and will enrich our collection," said Shen Qi, curator of the museum.

"We are preparing a permanent exhibition hall dedicated to relics about the heroic deeds of Taiwan people's resistance against Japanese rule during 1895 to 1945."

Shen said the hall is scheduled to open in 2015.

"The exhibition this time is only a condensed version of the exhibition hall."

If You Go

Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance against Japanese Aggression

Location: 101, Inner Street of Wanping Fortress, Lugou Bridge, Fengtai District, Beijing

Opening Hours: 9 am - 4:30 pm, Tuesday to Sunday

Tel: (+86) 010-83893163