Shenzhen · History & Resistance

I. Origins of Civilization: Xiantouling and the Pre-Qin Baiyue

Shenzhen's history extends far beyond just four decades; its civilizational roots can be traced back to the Neolithic Age. The Xiantouling site, located on the shores of Dapeng Bay and dating back approximately 7,000 to 6,000 years, is one of the earliest and most culturally rich mid-Neolithic sites discovered in the Pearl River Delta region. Archaeologists have unearthed large quantities of sand-tempered pottery, painted pottery, and polished stone tools here. The geometric patterns on the painted pottery show some connection with the Daxi culture of the middle Yangtze River region, indicating that as early as prehistoric times, the Shenzhen area had already engaged in cultural exchanges with inland cultural spheres. This discovery significantly pushes back the timeline of human activity in the Shenzhen region and confirms that Lingnan was not a "barbaric wilderness" but rather an important part of the pluralistic and integrated pattern of Chinese civilization.

Entering the Shang and Zhou dynasties, the Shenzhen region fell within the sphere of activity of the ancient Yue people. The Baiyue people lived among the mountains and seas, sustaining themselves through fishing, hunting, and primitive rice cultivation. In areas such as today's Nanshan District and Bao'an District, archaeologists have successively discovered multiple Shang and Zhou dynasty sites, unearthing bronze axes, bronze spears, and other tools and weapons, demonstrating the radiating influence of Central Plains bronze culture on Lingnan. During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the Shenzhen region fell within the "Nanyue" sphere of the Baiyue territories, maintaining indirect trade relations with the Chu, Wu, and Yue states of the Central Plains. Sea salt and pearls were the region's earliest renowned products.

In 214 BC, Qin Shi Huang unified Lingnan and established the three commanderies of Nanhai, Guilin, and Xiangjun, with the Shenzhen area falling under Panyu County in Nanhai Commandery. This marked the starting point of Shenzhen's incorporation into the administrative territory of the central imperial dynasty. The Qin dynasty relocated migrants from the Central Plains to "live among the Yue people," bringing iron tools, ox-plowing, and advanced farming techniques, which accelerated the development of this land. Over the following two thousand years, although Shenzhen's administrative status underwent frequent changes, its role as a coastal defense gateway and maritime transport hub in Lingnan became increasingly prominent.

II. Administrative Evolution: From Bao'an to Xin'an to Shenzhen

The history of Shenzhen's administrative establishment is a microcosm of the central dynasty's deepening governance over the Lingnan frontier. In the sixth year of the Xianhe era of the Eastern Jin dynasty (AD 331), the court established Bao'an County under Dongguan Commandery, with its seat located near Nantou Ancient City in today's Nanshan District—this was the first time the Shenzhen area was established as an independent county, nearly 1,700 years ago. The name Bao'an, meaning "peace through obtaining treasure," reflected the rulers' hopes for stability in Lingnan at the time. Nantou Ancient City thus became the political, economic, and cultural center of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong region, a status that continued into the Ming dynasty.

In the second year of the Tang Dynasty's Zhide era (757 AD), Bao'an County was renamed Dongguan County, and the county seat moved to what is now Dongguan City. The Shenzhen area has since been under Dongguan's jurisdiction for a long period. During the Song Dynasty, the salt-making and fishing industries in the Shenzhen area flourished. Salt fields were densely distributed along Dapeng Bay and Shenzhen Bay, becoming an important source of salt tax revenue in Lingnan. In the late Southern Song Dynasty, as Yuan troops advanced southward, the Southern Song court retreated to the Shenzhen Bay area, leaving behind historical relics such as the "Tomb of Emperor Bing of Song," located at Chiwan in Nanshan District—the only imperial tomb of the Song Dynasty in Guangdong Province.

In the first year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1573 AD), to strengthen coastal defense and governance, the court separated part of Dongguan County and re-established Xin'an County, with the county seat still at Nantou Ancient City. Xin'an County's jurisdiction roughly covered most of present-day Shenzhen and the entire territory of Hong Kong. From then until the Qing Dynasty, Xin'an County remained the most important administrative unit on the eastern bank of the Pearl River Estuary. In 1913, due to a name conflict with Xin'an County in Henan Province, Xin'an County was renamed back to Bao'an County. In 1979, Bao'an County was reorganized into Shenzhen City, and the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone was established the following year, marking an unprecedented historical turning point for this ancient city.

III. Ming-Qing Guard Posts and Ancient Fortresses: The Coastal Defense Code of Dapeng Fortress

The Ming Dynasty was the period when China's coastal defense system matured, and the Shenzhen area was a key node in this system. In the 27th year of the Hongwu reign (1394 AD), Ming Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, in order to resist Japanese pirate raids, ordered Zhang Bin, a chiliarch of the Guangzhou Left Guard, to oversee the construction of Dapeng Fortress, officially named "Dapeng Shouyu Qianhusuo Cheng" (Dapeng Guard Chiliarchy Fortress). The fortress is located in today's Pengcheng Village, Dapeng New District, nestled against mountains and facing the sea, strategically positioned on rugged terrain. Together with Dongguan Shouyu Qianhusuo Cheng (today's Nantou Ancient City), they formed a pincer formation, jointly guarding the shipping lanes on the eastern bank of the Pearl River Estuary.

Dapeng Fortress is a typical Ming Dynasty coastal defense military castle, with an irregular quadrilateral layout. The city walls, built from granite and blue bricks, have a circumference of about three kilometers, a height of six meters, and a base width of ten meters. The fortress has four gates: the East Gate "Chaoyang" (Facing the Sun), the West Gate "Yingen" (Welcoming Grace), the South Gate "Zhengyang" (Direct Sun), and the North Gate "Gongchen" (Venerating the North Star), each topped with a gate tower. The streets inside the fortress are laid out in a cross-shaped pattern, with main streets along the central axis leading directly to each gate, facilitating military deployment. Within the fortress are military facilities such as the General's Mansion, the Assistant Commander's Office, a drill ground, and a gunpowder bureau, as well as religious buildings like the Tianhou Temple (Goddess of the Sea Temple) and the Guandi Temple (God of War Temple), forming a fully functional military settlement.

Dapeng Fortress played an important role in coastal defense during both the Ming and Qing dynasties. From the mid-Ming period onward, as Japanese pirates and sea bandits became increasingly rampant, the fortress garrison launched multiple sorties, safeguarding the security of the eastern Pearl River Estuary. In the early Qing Dynasty, Dapeng Fortress continued to serve as a key coastal defense stronghold. During the Kangxi reign's coastal evacuation policy, the fortress was once abandoned, but was rebuilt after the coastal ban was lifted in the 8th year of Kangxi (1669 AD). During the Opium War, Lai Enjue, the commander of Dapeng Camp, led naval forces to defeat the British at the waters of Kowloon, securing a victory in the prelude battle of the Opium War—an important engagement in modern Chinese history against foreign aggression. Today, Dapeng Fortress is a national key cultural relic protection unit and the origin of Shenzhen's nickname "Pengcheng" (Fortress City).

4. Nantou Ancient City: The Root of Shenzhen-Hong Kong History

If Dapeng Fortress is Shenzhen's coastal defense outpost, then Nantou Ancient City is the administrative and cultural center of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong region. Located beside Shennan Boulevard in today's Nanshan District, Nantou Ancient City traces its history back to the Bao'an County seat of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, over 1,700 years ago. Covering approximately 70,000 square meters, the ancient city preserves historical structures such as the city wall ruins, Xin'an County Government Office, Dongguan Guild Hall, Baode Temple, and Lord Wen Tianxiang's Shrine, making it the only ancient city layout in Shenzhen that remains relatively intact.

After becoming the seat of Xin'an County in the Ming Dynasty, Nantou Ancient City gradually developed into the political, military, and commercial center on the eastern bank of the Pearl River Estuary. The city originally featured nine streets and eighteen alleys, lined with shops and guild halls, serving as a distribution hub for goods from surrounding villages, Hong Kong Island, and the Kowloon Peninsula. During the early Qing Dynasty's coastal evacuation and maritime ban, Nantou Ancient City was once abandoned, but it flourished again after the ban was lifted. After the Opium War, Hong Kong was ceded to Britain, and the jurisdiction of Xin'an County was split in two. Although the status of Nantou Ancient City declined somewhat, it remained a cultural bond for the Chinese people in the Shenzhen-Hong Kong region.

The most notable historical building within Nantou Ancient City is the Xinguo Gong Wenshi Ancestral Hall, a shrine built to commemorate Wen Tianxiang, a national hero of the Southern Song Dynasty. After Wen Tianxiang was captured following his military defeat, he passed through Lingdingyang at the mouth of the Pearl River and wrote the timeless verse, "Since ancient times, who has not died? Leave a loyal heart to shine in history." The Wen clan members in the Shenzhen area are mostly descendants of Wen Tianxiang, who migrated here in the mid-Ming Dynasty and built the ancestral hall for worship during the Qing Dynasty. The ancestral hall preserves Qing Dynasty stone inscriptions and wood carvings, serving as important physical evidence for studying the veneration of Wen Tianxiang and the clan culture of Lingnan. Additionally, the ruins of the Xin'an County Government Office within the ancient city display the layout of local administrative institutions during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, while the Dongguan Guild Hall bears witness to the history of commercial exchanges between merchants from Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

V. Ancient Pagodas, Pavilions, and Villages: Scattered Fragments of Time

Although Shenzhen is renowned as a modern metropolis, it still preserves numerous ancient pagodas, pavilions, and villages, which bear witness to another face of this city. The Tianhou Temple, located at Chiwan in Nanshan District, was first built in the Song Dynasty and underwent multiple renovations during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is one of the largest Mazu temples in the Pearl River Delta region. Chiwan Tianhou Temple sits at the strategic gateway of the Pearl River Estuary, where ancient merchant ships would come to worship Mazu before setting sail, praying for safe voyages. The temple preserves the main hall, rear hall, bell and drum towers, and other structures. Every year on the 23rd day of the third lunar month, Mazu's birthday, grand sacrificial ceremonies are held here.

Located on Xixiang Street in Bao'an District, Wenchang Pavilion is a pavilion-style ancient pagoda first built in the Ming Dynasty, standing about 12 meters tall with three stories, featuring brick-and-wood construction, upturned eaves, and elegant curved corners. Wenchang Pavilion enshrines Emperor Wenchang, the deity worshipped by ancient scholars seeking success in imperial examinations. The pavilion once bore plaques such as "Ascending the Phoenix Tower in Succession" and "Climbing One Story Higher," reflecting the Lingnan folk tradition of valuing education and culture. Hehu New Residence in Longgang District is the largest surviving Hakka enclosed house in Shenzhen, first built during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, covering approximately 25,000 square meters, and known as "nine halls, eighteen patios, ten pavilions, and a horse-walking corridor." The enclosed house preserves complete scenes of Hakka clan life, serving as an important specimen for studying Shenzhen's Hakka migration history and architectural art.

Additionally, Dawan Ancient Residence in Pingshan District, Guanlan Ancient Market in Longhua District, and Shajing Ancient Market in Bao'an District are all key representatives of Shenzhen's ancient villages. Dawan Ancient Residence is a large Hakka enclosed house built by the Zeng clan, first constructed in the 56th year of the Qianlong reign (AD 1791), featuring grand scale and rigorous layout. Guanlan Ancient Market was one of Shenzhen's most prosperous commercial towns in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic period, with surviving arcade streets and watchtowers that bear witness to overseas Chinese returning to invest and the rise of modern commerce. Shajing Ancient Market is renowned for its oyster industry, and the oyster-shell walls of this thousand-year-old oyster town are a unique architectural sight found only in Shenzhen. These ancient pagodas, pavilions, and old villages together form the "traditional undertone behind Shenzhen's modern metropolis."

6. Land of Intangible Heritage: Shenzhen's Folk Customs and Craftsmanship

Though Shenzhen is young, its intangible cultural heritage is deeply rooted in the rich soil of Lingnan culture. Currently, Shenzhen boasts 7 national-level intangible cultural heritage items and over 20 provincial-level ones, spanning traditional dance, music, opera, fine arts, craftsmanship, and folk customs. Among them, the most representative is the "Shatoujiao Fish Lantern Dance." Originating during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty, the Fish Lantern Dance has been passed down in the Shatoujiao area of Yantian District, created by fishermen as a folk dance to pray for bountiful catches. Dancers hold fish-shaped lanterns and mimic the graceful movements of fish swimming in water, with flowing motions and shimmering lights. In 2008, the Shatoujiao Fish Lantern Dance was inscribed on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Another national-level intangible cultural heritage in Shenzhen is the "Bantian Yongshengtang Unicorn Dance." The unicorn dance is a traditional folk activity of the Hakka people, symbolizing the warding off of evil and disasters, and the welcoming of good fortune and blessings. The Yongshengtang unicorn dance originated in the late Qing Dynasty and has been passed down through five generations. Its performance routines are rich and varied, blending martial arts, dance, and music, creating a striking visual impact. Additionally, Shenzhen is home to traditional music forms such as "Shiyan Hakka Folk Songs" and "Longgang Jiege," whose simple lyrics and melodious tunes reflect the pioneering life of the Hakka people as they migrated and cultivated new lands.

In terms of traditional craftsmanship, Shenzhen's "Gankeng Hakka Rattan Hats" and "Cai's Cured Meat Making Techniques" both showcase distinctive local characteristics. Gankeng rattan hats are woven from bamboo strips and cloth, featuring wide brims that provide both sun protection and rain cover, and are a traditional accessory for Hakka women. Today, the Gankeng Hakka Town has become a cultural tourism destination showcasing this intangible cultural heritage craft. Shenzhen's intangible cultural heritage exists not only in museums and on official lists but also thrives within communities and festive celebrations. Every Spring Festival, all districts of Shenzhen host intangible cultural heritage performances, featuring fish lantern dances, unicorn dances, and lion dances in turn, infusing this city of migrants with a rich sense of nostalgia and traditional charm.

VII. The Architectural Code of Ancient Fortresses: Dual Wisdom of Defense and Daily Life

The ancient fortress-style buildings in Shenzhen, whether they are coastal defense strongholds like Dapeng Fortress or Hakka enclosed houses like Hehu New Residence and Dawanshi Residence, all embody a design philosophy that equally prioritizes defense and daily living. In site selection, layout, materials, and construction, these buildings contain the wisdom of ancient people in responding to natural and social challenges.

In terms of site selection, Shenzhen's ancient fortresses are mostly situated near mountains and water, which facilitates water access, transportation, and lookout while also using the terrain to enhance defensive capabilities. Dapeng Fortress is backed by Paiya Mountain and faces Daya Bay, with the site rising about ten meters above sea level, allowing it to overlook enemy movements at sea while avoiding typhoons and tidal surges. Hakka enclosed houses, on the other hand, are typically located on gentle hillside slopes, with a pond in front and forested hills behind, conforming to the ideal feng shui pattern of "backed by mountains and facing water," while the pond also serves practical functions such as water storage, fire prevention, and fish farming.

In layout, Dapeng Fortress adopts a "cross-street" plus "ring-shaped city wall" configuration, with a bell-and-drum tower at the central point for issuing orders across the entire city. The streets and alleys inside the city are narrow and winding, conducive to street fighting during wartime while forming a lively marketplace space in peacetime. Hakka enclosed houses use a "fortress-style" layout with tall, thick outer walls, small window openings like holes, and main gates fitted with double bolts and iron sheathing; some enclosed houses even have watchtowers at the four corners, allowing defenders to shoot down at invaders from an elevated position. Inside the enclosed houses, the structure follows a "nine halls and eighteen patios" courtyard design, symmetrical along a central axis, with interconnected halls and patios that provide natural light and ventilation, accommodating the needs of large extended families while creating a comfortable living environment.

In terms of materials, Shenzhen's ancient fortresses made use of local resources. Dapeng Fortress was built with granite and oyster shell lime mortar, a mixture of oyster shells burned and blended with glutinous rice paste. This mortar offers strong adhesion and is moisture-resistant and corrosion-proof, a unique invention of coastal architecture in Lingnan. Hakka enclosed houses are mostly rammed with Sanhetu, a mixture of yellow mud, lime, and sand/gravel in proportion, pounded repeatedly until as hard as stone and capable of resisting bullets. Some enclosed houses also had oyster shells embedded in their outer walls, which were both aesthetically pleasing and effective at insulating against heat and moisture. These architectural codes represent the survival wisdom accumulated by Shenzhen's early inhabitants in an environment of heat, humidity, frequent typhoons, and rampant banditry, and they are a precious legacy of Lingnan architectural culture.

VIII. Living Heritage: From Historic Sites to Cultural Tourism Integration

In recent years, Shenzhen has undertaken extensive exploration in the protection and revitalization of historical and cultural heritage, breathing new life into ancient fortresses and villages. Dapeng Fortress, as a nationally key cultural relic protection unit, launched a comprehensive conservation and renovation project in 2016, restoring ancient buildings such as the General Lai Enjue Residence and the General Liu Qilong Residence, and introducing cultural and creative shops, intangible cultural heritage workshops, and distinctive guesthouses, forming a composite model of "historic district + cultural tourism." This has created a new business format. Today, Dapeng Fortress serves both as a window for visitors to learn about Shenzhen's coastal defense history and as a community for the daily lives of local residents.

Nantou Ancient City, through a "micro-renovation" approach, has introduced design studios, art exhibition halls, and boutique dining while preserving the original street layout and historical buildings, creating a model of "urban village renovation + cultural creativity." Historical buildings within the ancient city, such as the Xinguo Gong Wenshi Ancestral Hall and Xin'an County Government Office, have been restored and transformed into cultural spaces showcasing the history of Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Hehu New Residence and Dawan Shiju have been opened as Hakka Folk Customs Museums, using physical exhibits, scene reconstructions, and digital displays to tell the public the stories of Hakka migration and entrepreneurship in Shenzhen.

Additionally, Shenzhen uses intangible cultural heritage as a link to promote traditional culture into communities and schools. Intangible heritage projects such as Shatoujiao Fish Lantern Dance and Bantian Qilin Dance have established interest courses in primary and secondary schools, allowing the younger generation to engage with and inherit these ancient crafts. Every year on "Cultural and Natural Heritage Day," all districts of Shenzhen hold intangible heritage markets, performances, and hands-on activities, shifting heritage from "being protected" to "being seen." This approach of living inheritance not only preserves the physical form of historical heritage but also sustains its spiritual essence, allowing Shenzhen's historical lineage to continue within the modern metropolis.

IX. Echoes of History: The Cultural Foundation of Shenzhen's Urban Identity

Shenzhen's history is a magnificent epic that spans from a remote coastal frontier to the forefront of reform. The painted pottery from Xiantouling seven thousand years ago, the Bao'an county seat established seventeen hundred years ago, the Dapeng Fortress with over six hundred years of history, the modern port opening over a century ago, and the special economic zone of more than forty years—these layers of history from different periods together form the unique cultural foundation of Shenzhen's urban identity. Unlike ancient capitals such as Beijing and Xi'an, Shenzhen's history is not a single dynastic narrative, but a complex of multi-ethnic migrations, cultural intermingling, and institutional collisions. The Baiyue indigenous people, migrants from the Central Plains, Hakka ancestors, Cantonese merchants, and overseas Chinese have all left their marks on this land.

This diverse and inclusive historical gene has profoundly shaped Shenzhen's urban character. Today's Shenzhen residents embrace the slogan "Once you come, you're a Shenzhener," which is a continuation of this tradition of migration. Meanwhile, the coastal defense spirit of Dapeng Fortress, the administrative wisdom of Nantou Ancient City, and the family cohesion of Hakka enclosed houses constitute the spiritual foundation of Shenzhen people's resilience, pragmatism, and daring to venture and try. When people marvel at Shenzhen as a "city built overnight," they should not forget that this land has long possessed a deep cultural foundation. History is not a burden for Shenzhen, but a source of its innovative development. Standing at the starting point of a new era, Shenzhen is telling its historical story to the world with greater confidence.

I. Seeds of Revolution: Early Revolutionary Activities in the Shenzhen Region

The revolutionary tradition in the Shenzhen region has deep roots. As early as the Xinhai Revolution period, this area was an important region for the democratic revolution led by Sun Yat-sen. In 1900, Sun Yat-sen launched the Huizhou Sanzhoutian Uprising, and the rebel forces fought through what is now Yantian and Longgang in Shenzhen, receiving support from local secret societies and the people. Although the uprising ultimately failed, the seeds of revolution had been sown across the land of Shenzhen. Thereafter, progressive youth in the Shenzhen region joined the Tongmenghui (Revolutionary Alliance) one after another, devoting themselves to the struggle against the Qing dynasty.

After the founding of the Communist Party of China, revolutionary activities in the Shenzhen region entered a new phase. In 1924, the Kuomintang-Communist cooperation was realized, and Guangdong became the stronghold of the National Revolution. In the Shenzhen area, trade unions, peasant associations, and youth league organizations were successively established, launching vigorous workers' and peasants' movements. During the 1925 Canton-Hong Kong Strike, Shenzhen, as an important passage between Hong Kong and the mainland, undertook the tasks of receiving striking workers and transshipping supplies. The Bao'an County Party organization was also established during this period, becoming the core force leading local revolutionary struggles.

After the failure of the Great Revolution in 1927, the Party organizations in the Shenzhen area went underground and persisted in their struggles. During the Agrarian Revolutionary War period, Communist Party members and progressive masses in the Shenzhen area launched armed uprisings on multiple occasions; although repeatedly suppressed, their revolutionary will never wavered. After the September 18 Incident in 1931, the anti-Japanese national salvation movement in the Shenzhen area rapidly rose, with schools, factories, and villages setting up anti-Japanese propaganda teams to expose the aggressive crimes of Japanese imperialism. These early revolutionary activities laid the organizational and mass foundation for Shenzhen to establish anti-Japanese base areas after the outbreak of the full-scale War of Resistance.

II. Japanese Invasion and the Fall of Shenzhen

After the July 7 Incident in 1937, Japan launched a full-scale war of aggression against China. In October 1938, Japanese troops landed at Daya Bay, and the Shenzhen area bore the brunt of the invasion, quickly falling into enemy hands. After occupying Shenzhen, the Japanese troops committed arson, murder, and looting, stopping at nothing in their atrocities. According to records, the Japanese military perpetrated numerous massacres in the Shenzhen area, such as the "Shatoujiao Massacre" and "Buji Massacre," in which countless civilians were killed, homes were burned, and property was plundered. Shenzhen's economic and social order was severely disrupted, forcing large numbers of residents to flee to Hong Kong or inland areas for refuge.

After occupying Shenzhen, the Japanese used it as a key base for attacking Hong Kong and blockading South China. The Guangzhou-Kowloon Railway (Guangzhou to Kowloon) running through Shenzhen became a vital artery for transporting Japanese troops and supplies, with strongholds densely scattered along the line and heavily guarded. The Japanese also constructed numerous artillery positions and bunkers along the shores of Shenzhen Bay and Dapeng Bay, aiming for a long-term occupation. Faced with the brutal rule of the Japanese, the people of Shenzhen did not yield but resisted in various ways. Some residents spontaneously organized to sabotage Japanese transport lines and attack Japanese outposts, laying the grassroots foundation for later armed resistance efforts.

In December 1941, when Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong, the Shenzhen area served as a springboard for their southward advance. After the fall of Hong Kong, a large number of patriotic democrats and cultural elites were trapped on the island, facing a critical situation. The CPC Central Committee and the Southern Bureau instructed the Party organizations in Guangdong to rescue them at all costs. This mission historically fell on the shoulders of the anti-Japanese armed forces in the Shenzhen area—the Guangdong People's Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Column (predecessor of the Dongjiang Column).

III. Anti-Japanese Democratic Regime: The Establishment and Growth of the Dongjiang Column

After the Japanese invasion of Guangdong in October 1938, the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the CPC called on Party organizations at all levels to mobilize the masses and launch anti-Japanese guerrilla warfare. In December 1938, Zeng Sheng and others organized the Hui-Bao People's Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Corps in the Huiyang area. Wang Zuoyao and others organized the Dong-Bao-Hui Border People's Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Brigade in the Dongguan area. These two forces carried out guerrilla activities in the Shenzhen, Dongguan, and Huiyang regions, striking at the Japanese troops. In 1940, these two units were reorganized into the Third and Fifth Brigades of the Guangdong People's Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Force, led by Zeng Sheng and Wang Zuoyao respectively, establishing anti-Japanese base areas in Dalingshan, Dongguan, and Yangtai Mountain, Bao'an.

On December 2, 1943, following instructions from the CPC Central Committee, the Guangdong People's Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Corps was officially reorganized into the Dongjiang Column of the Guangdong People's Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Force, with Zeng Sheng as commander, Lin Ping as political commissar, and Wang Zuoyao as deputy commander and chief of staff. The Dongjiang Column was an important anti-Japanese armed force led by the Chinese Communist Party in South China, with its operations spanning the Dongjiang River basin and the Hong Kong-Kowloon region. Shenzhen's Yangtai Mountain and Dapeng Peninsula were among its main base areas. After its establishment, the Dongjiang Column actively launched offensives, achieving multiple victories in battles such as the Baihuadong Battle and the Meitang Battle, dealing heavy blows to the Japanese forces.

In 1944, the Dongjiang Column launched spring and autumn offensives against Japanese and puppet troops, recovering large swaths of territory and establishing the Dongjiang Anti-Japanese Base Area. Within the base area, anti-Japanese democratic governments were established, implementing rent and interest reduction policies, organizing production self-help efforts, and promoting education, all of which won broad support from the masses. The Dongjiang Column also set up radio stations and intelligence networks, maintaining close contact with the CPC Central Committee in Yan'an. By 1945, the Dongjiang Column had grown to nine detachments with a total strength of over 10,000 troops, becoming the backbone force in the fight against Japanese forces in South China.

4. Famous Battles: Fierce Fighting on the Shenzhen Battlefield

During seven years of resistance behind enemy lines, the Dongjiang Column fought hundreds of battles of varying scale against Japanese forces in Shenzhen and surrounding areas, with some of these engagements leaving a brilliant mark on the history of the anti-Japanese war in South China.

In November 1940, the Japanese army mobilized a large force to launch a "mopping-up" campaign against the Yangtai Mountain anti-Japanese base. Under the command of Wang Zuoyao, the Fifth Brigade used the mountainous terrain to engage in guerrilla warfare against the Japanese troops. During the Battle of Baihua Cave, the guerrillas ambushed a Japanese cavalry unit, killed the Japanese commander, and seized a batch of weapons and ammunition. This battle shattered the myth of Japanese invincibility and greatly boosted the anti-Japanese morale of the people in South China.

In January 1943, the Dongjiang Column engaged in fierce fighting with Japanese troops near Meitang in Bao'an. The Japanese dispatched a regiment-sized force in an attempt to wipe out the main guerrilla forces in one stroke. Relying on favorable terrain, the guerrillas put up a tenacious defense and repelled multiple Japanese attacks. During the battle, the guerrilla fighters showed great bravery and tenacity; when ammunition ran out, they fought the enemy with bayonets and stones. The Battle of Meitang lasted a full day, and the Japanese were never able to break through the guerrilla defenses, ultimately being forced to retreat.

In August 1944, the Dongjiang Column launched the famous "Battle of Shayuchong." Shayuchong was an important port on Dapeng Bay, where the Japanese army had established a stronghold. After careful reconnaissance, the guerrilla forces launched a night raid, capturing the stronghold in one strike, annihilating the defending enemy, and seizing large quantities of military supplies. This battle opened up the connection between the Dongjiang base area and the maritime supply line, creating conditions for subsequent material transport and personnel evacuation. In addition, the Dongjiang Column repeatedly attacked Japanese strongholds along the Guangzhou-Kowloon Railway, destroying tracks and bridges, frequently disrupting the enemy's supply lines.

V. Supporting the Major War: Shenzhen's Strategic Position in the South China Anti-Japanese War

The anti-Japanese struggle in the Shenzhen region was not isolated but an important component of the broader war of resistance in South China and the entire nation. Located on the eastern bank of the Pearl River Estuary and adjacent to Hong Kong, Shenzhen was a vital passage connecting South China with overseas regions, holding great strategic importance. Relying on its base in Shenzhen, the Dongjiang Column actively waged guerrilla warfare behind enemy lines, tying down large numbers of Japanese troops and effectively supporting operations on the main battlefield.

After Hong Kong fell in December 1941, the Dongjiang Column immediately dispatched elite forces into the Hong Kong-Kowloon area to conduct urban guerrilla warfare. The guerrilla forces attacked Japanese sentry posts, warehouses, and patrols in both urban and suburban Hong Kong, sabotaging Japanese facilities and making Japanese rule over the Kowloon-Hong Kong area untenable. Meanwhile, the guerrillas also established secret transport routes, safely escorting batches of patriotic democrats and cultural elites from Hong Kong to the mainland. According to incomplete statistics, the Dongjiang Column successively rescued over 800 patriots, including He Xiangning, Liu Yazi, Mao Dun, Zou Taofen, and Xia Yan, as well as numerous Allied pilots and international friends. This feat was hailed by Mao Dun as "the greatest rescue operation since the start of the War of Resistance."

In addition, the anti-Japanese base areas in the Shenzhen region became important outposts for Allied intelligence operations. The Dongjiang Column established intelligence stations and cooperated with the Allies to gather information on Japanese military deployments and naval movements in South China, providing crucial references for Allied bombing of Japanese targets and submarine operations. In 1944, the U.S. Fourteenth Air Force (the Flying Tigers) established a formal intelligence cooperation relationship with the Dongjiang Column, whose intelligence personnel repeatedly provided accurate information to the U.S. military, earning high praise from the American side. The anti-Japanese struggle in the Shenzhen region not only contributed to China's victory in the War of Resistance but also to the global war against fascism.

VI. Supporting the Front and Liberation: The Immortal Contributions of the People of Shenzhen

During the arduous years of the War of Resistance, the people of Shenzhen provided unwavering support in manpower, material resources, and financial aid to the anti-Japanese armed forces. Within the base areas, under the leadership of the anti-Japanese democratic government, vast numbers of farmers actively enlisted and joined the fight, giving rise to many moving stories of "parents sending their sons to the battlefield, and wives sending their husbands to fight the Japanese invaders." According to records, soldiers from Shenzhen made up a considerable proportion of the Dongjiang Column, with many families even enlisting in full, making tremendous sacrifices for the anti-Japanese cause.

In terms of material support, the people of Shenzhen tightened their belts to gather grain, clothing, and medicine for the guerrilla forces. Coastal fishermen risked their lives to transport supplies and deliver intelligence to the guerrillas. Patriotic overseas Chinese also actively donated money and goods to support the anti-Japanese struggle in their hometowns. Women's organizations in the Shenzhen area also carried out activities such as sewing military shoes and caring for the wounded, providing strong logistical support for frontline soldiers. It was precisely because of the heartfelt support and selfless dedication of the people that the Dongjiang Column was able to persist in struggle and continue to grow under extremely difficult conditions.

On August 15, 1945, Japan announced its unconditional surrender. The Dongjiang Column accepted the surrender of the Japanese and puppet forces in the Shenzhen area and recovered the lost territory. However, the joy of victory in the War of Resistance did not last long. In June 1946, in accordance with the agreement reached during the Chongqing negotiations between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, the main force of the Dongjiang Column, numbering 2,583 personnel, withdrew northward to Shandong and was incorporated into the East China Field Army. The remaining personnel went underground and continued their struggle. In October 1949, as the War of Liberation advanced victoriously, the People's Liberation Army marched southward. The armed forces left behind by the Dongjiang Column coordinated with the main forces and liberated the Shenzhen area on October 16. Shenzhen, a city that had endured much warfare, finally ushered in a new life.

VII. Base Area Construction: Political Power and Social Experiments Amidst the Flames of War

The anti-Japanese base area established by the Dongjiang Column in Shenzhen was not only a fortress for military struggle but also a profound experiment in social transformation. Within the base area, the anti-Japanese democratic government implemented a series of political, economic, and social reforms that greatly improved the lives of the people and ignited their enthusiasm for resisting Japan.

In terms of political construction, the base area implemented the "Three-Thirds System" principle, whereby Communist Party members, non-party progressive leftists, and centrists each occupied one-third of the positions in government organs, uniting all forces that could be united for the anti-Japanese cause. Governments at all levels were elected through democratic processes, and consultative assemblies were established, giving ordinary people the opportunity to participate in political affairs. In rural areas, mass organizations such as the Peasants' National Salvation Association, the Youth National Salvation Association, and the Women's National Salvation Association were established, forming a broad anti-Japanese united front.

In economic development, the base areas implemented policies to reduce rent and interest, lowering landlords' rents and loan interest rates to ease the burden on farmers. Meanwhile, the government organized military and civilian efforts in the Great Production Campaign, reclaiming wasteland, growing grain, and developing handicrafts and sideline industries to strive for self-sufficiency. The salt and fishing industries in coastal areas were also restored and developed, providing important economic resources for the base areas. Furthermore, the base areas established their own taxation systems, ensuring supplies for the anti-Japanese armed forces.

In cultural development, the base areas established primary and secondary schools as well as night schools, launching literacy campaigns to raise the educational level of the people. The Dongjiang Column also founded the newspaper "Qianjin Bao" (Advance), which promoted anti-Japanese advocacy and reported on domestic and international situations, serving as a window for the military and civilians in the base areas to stay informed about current events. Cultural organizations such as field service troupes and drama troupes went deep into the countryside, performing anti-Japanese plays and teaching revolutionary songs, greatly enriching the spiritual lives of the masses. These practices of base area construction accumulated valuable experience for the later construction of liberated areas and reflected the Chinese Communist Party's governing philosophy of "fighting the war while building" during the War of Resistance.

VIII. Portraits of Heroes: The Brave Sons and Daughters of Shenzhen's Anti-Japanese War

The history of Shenzhen's resistance against Japan was written with the blood and lives of countless heroic sons and daughters. Among them were battle-hardened commanders, ordinary people who quietly dedicated themselves, and martyrs who sacrificed their lives for a just cause. These portraits of heroes form the most moving chapters in the history of Shenzhen's Anti-Japanese War.

Zeng Sheng, a native of Huiyang, Guangdong, served as commander of the Dongjiang Column. He joined the revolution in his early years and was dispatched by the Party organization in 1938 to return to his hometown to organize anti-Japanese armed forces. Under Zeng Sheng's leadership, the Dongjiang Column grew from an initial few dozen members to over 10,000, becoming a banner of resistance in South China. Zeng Sheng led from the front, commanding numerous battles and making outstanding contributions to the anti-Japanese struggle in South China. After the founding of New China, Zeng Sheng served as Vice Governor of Guangdong Province and Minister of Communications, among other positions.

Wang Zuoyao, a native of Dongguan, Guangdong, served as Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the East River Column. He was one of the principal founders of the East River Column, known for his wisdom and courage, and his expertise in guerrilla tactics. During numerous anti-"mopping-up" battles in the Yangtai Mountain base, Wang Zuoyao commanded with composure, repeatedly thwarting Japanese forces with flexible and mobile tactics. After the fall of Hong Kong, he personally orchestrated and took part in the rescue operation for cultural elites, making outstanding contributions to preserving the nation's cultural heritage.

Liu Heizai, a native of Bao'an, Guangdong, was a legendary hero of the East River Column. As captain of the short-gun squad of the Hong Kong-Kowloon Brigade, he led his men in elusive operations across Hong Kong's urban and suburban areas, attacking Japanese sentry posts, executing traitors, and rescuing captured comrades, striking fear into the hearts of the Japanese forces. Liu Heizai's stories are widely told in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, making him a folk hero of the anti-Japanese resistance.

Beyond these renowned heroes, there were countless ordinary soldiers and civilians who served in obscurity. Among them were martyrs who fell in battle, couriers who remained unyielding under brutal torture by the enemy, and elderly men and women who risked their lives to deliver food and medicine to the guerrilla forces. It was these countless ordinary people who together forged the mighty strength of Shenzhen's anti-Japanese resistance.

IX. Memory and Commemoration: The Legacy of Shenzhen's Anti-Japanese Spirit

The smoke of the Anti-Japanese War has long dissipated, but the people of Shenzhen have never forgotten that history of blood and fire. Today, Shenzhen is home to multiple memorial facilities and venues dedicated to the Anti-Japanese War, serving as important places for people to honor the martyrs and remember history.

The Dongjiang Column Memorial Hall, located on Pingshan Street in Longgang District, is one of Shenzhen's most significant Anti-Japanese War memorial venues. Opened to the public in 2000, the memorial hall houses a vast collection of precious historical photographs, artifacts, and archival documents, comprehensively showcasing the combat history and heroic deeds of the Dongjiang Column. A statue of Dongjiang Column soldiers stands solemnly in the memorial hall's square, inspiring reverence and respect. Every Qingming Festival and on the Victory Day of the Anti-Japanese War, large numbers of citizens and primary and secondary school students come to pay tribute and visit.

The Dongjiang Column Northward Evacuation Memorial Park in Dapeng New District was built to commemorate the main force of the Dongjiang Column's northward evacuation to Shandong in 1946. A monument stands within the park, with inscriptions recording the historical background and course of the evacuation, expressing respect for the evacuated soldiers. In addition, Shenzhen is home to multiple Anti-Japanese War sites and martyrs' monuments, such as the Yangtai Mountain Anti-Japanese Base Site, Shayuchong Battle Site, and Shenzhen Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery, all serving as important bases for patriotic education.

In recent years, Shenzhen has also carried forward and promoted the spirit of the Anti-Japanese War through various means. Schools have incorporated the history of the Dongjiang Column into local curricula, organizing students to visit memorial halls and listen to veterans recount their stories. Communities, enterprises, and public institutions frequently hold exhibitions, lectures, and cultural performances on Anti-Japanese War themes. In 2020, Shenzhen hosted a series of events commemorating the 77th anniversary of the founding of the Dongjiang Column, using both online and offline channels to help more people learn about this history. The spirit of the Anti-Japanese War has become an integral part of Shenzhen's urban ethos, inspiring generation after generation of Shenzhen residents to stay true to their original aspirations and forge ahead with determination.

10. Echoes of History: From the Flames of War to the Spring Tide of Reform

Shenzhen's Anti-Japanese War history is deeply and intrinsically linked to the city's later rise. The base established by the Dongjiang Column in the Shenzhen area not only contributed to the victory of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, but also left a precious spiritual legacy for Shenzhen. This spirit can be summarized as: firm ideals and convictions, unyielding will to fight, close unity between the military and the people, and a pioneering spirit of innovation.

After the victory of the War of Resistance, the people of the Shenzhen area, under the leadership of the Party, actively devoted themselves to the War of Liberation and socialist construction. After the reform and opening-up, Shenzhen, as a special economic zone, once again stood at the forefront of the times. From the anti-Japanese base in those days to today's city of innovation, every leap forward in Shenzhen has been inseparable from the spiritual strength forged in the flames of war. Many descendants of the Dongjiang Column soldiers still live in Shenzhen today. They carry on the aspirations of their forebears and continue to write new legends on this land of promise.

Today's Shenzhen has developed into a vibrant international metropolis. However, no matter how the city's appearance changes, the history of the War of Resistance remains the most profound memory in the hearts of the people of Shenzhen. The city walls of Dapeng Fortress, the exhibits at the Dongjiang Column Memorial Hall, and the trench ruins on Yangtai Mountain all silently tell of this city's past suffering and glory. Remembering history is not to perpetuate hatred, but to cherish peace. Remembering the martyrs is not to dwell on the past, but to create the future. Shenzhen's spirit of the War of Resistance will forever inspire the people of this city to continue forging ahead bravely on the journey of the new era.