Harbin · History & Resistance

I. The Cradle of Civilization: Ancient Echoes Along the Songhua River

Human activity in the Harbin area can be traced back to the Paleolithic era, tens of thousands of years ago. In what is now Acheng District and Shuangcheng District, archaeologists have discovered multiple Paleolithic sites, yielding chipped stone tools and animal fossils that prove ancient peoples thrived here. The Songhua River, one of the largest rivers in Northeast China, along with its tributaries—the Lalin River, Ashi River, and Hulan River—forms a dense waterway network that provided early humans with abundant water and rich fishing and hunting resources.

Entering the Neolithic era, the cultural landscape of the Harbin region gradually became clearer. The Wokenhada Cave site in Yilan County has yielded polished stone tools and pottery shards, whose cultural features show traces of exchange with the neighboring Xinkailiu culture of Mishan and the Xiaonanshan culture of Raohe. Around 3,000 years ago, during the Shang Dynasty, the Harbin area fell within the territory of the Sushen people. The Classic of Mountains and Seas, Chapter on the Great Wilderness of the North, records: "Beyond the sea to the northeast, amid the great wilderness, there is a mountain called Buxian, where the kingdom of the Sushen people lies." The Sushen people lived by hunting and gathering, skilled in making arrow shafts from ku wood and stone arrowheads, and were among the earliest ancient peoples of Northeast China recorded in written documents. They lived on the vast land north of the Changbai Mountains and along the middle and lower reaches of the Songhua River, with Harbin at the heart of this cultural sphere.

From the 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD, peoples such as the Fuyu, Yilou, and Woju successively rose to prominence on the Songnen Plain. Among them, the Fuyu Kingdom, centered on present-day Nong'an in Jilin, extended its influence over the southwestern part of the Harbin region. The Fuyu people established the first slave-owning state in Northeast China, with relatively advanced agriculture and animal husbandry; historical records note they had "palaces, granaries, and prisons." Artifacts such as Han-dynasty pottery jars and iron arrowheads unearthed in the Harbin area provide evidence of the historical process by which Central Plains culture spread through the Liaoxi Corridor into the hinterland of the Northeast. The fishing and hunting civilization along the Songhua River converged with the agrarian civilization of the Central Plains, laying the groundwork for Harbin's future multicultural landscape.

II. Administrative Evolution: From Bohai Prefectures to the Cradle of the Jin Dynasty

During the Bohai Kingdom period of the Tang Dynasty (698-926 AD), the Harbin area was formally incorporated into administrative governance. The Bohai Kingdom, modeled on Tang institutions, established five capitals, fifteen prefectures, and sixty-two sub-prefectures; among them, the Mojie Prefecture governed the present-day Harbin urban area and the counties of Acheng and Binxian, with its seat at Aoxi County (within present-day Acheng District). The Bohai Kingdom placed great emphasis on agriculture and handicraft production, constructing multiple irrigation facilities in the Ashi River basin to channel water for rice paddies, making this region a key grain-producing area of the kingdom.

During the Liao Dynasty, the Harbin area was under the jurisdiction of the Tieli Prince's Prefecture of the Tokyo Circuit. The Wanyan clan of the Jurchen tribe gradually rose along the Ashi River basin, with leaders such as Wanyan Hanpu and Wanyan Wugunai managing the region for generations, accumulating formidable military and economic strength. In 1114, Wanyan Aguda held a rally at Lailiu River (present-day Lalin River) by the Lalin River to launch a campaign against the Liao, formally raising the banner of rebellion. In the first month of the following year, Aguda proclaimed himself emperor and founded a state at Baicheng Village in present-day Acheng District, naming it the Great Jin Dynasty with the reign title "Shouguo." After the establishment of the Jin Dynasty, the Harbin area became the core of the Jin's ancestral homeland, with Acheng serving as the site of the early Jin capital, Shangjing Huining Prefecture, ushering in its most glorious period in history.

The ruins of the Jin Shangjing Huining Prefecture remain well-preserved to this day. The city layout is L-shaped, consisting of northern and southern sections, with a circumference of about 22 li (approximately 11 kilometers). The remaining city walls stand 3 to 5 meters high, with clear traces of rammed-earth construction. Within the imperial city, palace foundations are arranged in an orderly manner, with sites such as the Meridian Gate, Qianyuan Hall, and Qingyuan Palace showcasing the grandeur of early Jin court architecture. The tomb of Emperor Taizu Wanyan Aguda, known as Rui Mausoleum, is located approximately 15 kilometers southwest of the Shangjing Huining Prefecture ruins, within Yagou Town in present-day Acheng District. The burial mound stands about 10 meters high, surrounded by stone carvings including stone figures and stone sheep. After the Jin Dynasty moved its capital to Yanjing (present-day Beijing), Shangjing Huining Prefecture continued to exist as an auxiliary capital until it was destroyed by warfare at the end of the Jin Dynasty.

During the Yuan and Ming Dynasties, the administrative jurisdiction of the Harbin area underwent frequent changes. During the Yuan Dynasty, the area was under the jurisdiction of Kaiyuan Route of the Liaoyang Province, with post stations established to connect the Central Plains with the Heilongjiang River basin. In the Ming Dynasty, it belonged to the Jimi (loose-rein) guard posts such as Duoyan Wei and Taining Wei under the Nurgan Regional Military Commission. The Ming court established shipyards and granaries along the Songhua River basin, providing logistical support for the administration of the lower Heilongjiang region. During the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty, Yishiha led fleets down the Songhua and Heilongjiang rivers on multiple expeditions to inspect the Nurgan region, with Harbin serving as one of the key departure points for these fleets.

III. Ming-Qing Guard Posts and Ancient Fortresses: The Defense Chain on the Songhua River

In the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, Russian forces began to infiltrate the Heilongjiang River basin. In 1650, Khabarov led Cossack forces to invade the Heilongjiang River basin, looting and killing, which provoked fierce resistance from local Daur and Evenki peoples. To strengthen northeastern border defense, the Qing government established the Heilongjiang Military Governor in 1683, stationed at Aigun City (present-day Aihui District, Heihe City). The Harbin area, as a strategic hub on the middle reaches of the Songhua River, became a key node in the Qing army's naval camp and post station system.

During the Kangxi reign, the Qing court built a series of karon (sentry posts) and post stations along the banks of the Songhua River. In present-day Harbin's Daowai District and Songbei District, multiple naval camp garrisons were established to patrol the Songhua River waterway, ensuring the safety of grain transport and military supply shipments. Hulan City, located at the confluence of the Hulan River and the Songhua River, was founded in 1734 (the 12th year of the Yongzheng reign) and was one of the earliest established administrative cities in Heilongjiang during the Qing Dynasty. The perimeter of Hulan City was seven li and two hundred bu, with city walls two zhang high, featuring four city gates. Within the city stood the office of the Deputy Lieutenant-General, granaries, prisons, and other facilities. The jurisdiction of the Hulan Deputy Lieutenant-General covered most of present-day Harbin's urban area and parts of Suihua, making it an important military and political center on the north bank of the Songhua River.

Alchuka City (present-day Acheng District) also held a prominent status during the Qing Dynasty. In 1725 (the 3rd year of the Yongzheng reign), the Qing court established a Commandant post in Alchuka, which was later elevated to Deputy Lieutenant-General. Alchuka City was grand in scale, with city walls approximately eight li in circumference and five city gates. The city was filled with government offices and bustling with merchants, serving as the political and economic center of the ancestral land of the Jin Dynasty. Shuangcheng Fortress (present-day Shuangcheng District) was founded in 1814 (the 19th year of the Jiaqing reign) and was a typical garrison city in Northeast China during the Qing Dynasty. Its city walls were approximately seven li in circumference, housing Manchu Eight Banner troops responsible for military farming and border defense. Although these Qing Dynasty fortresses have weathered centuries of erosion, remnants of city walls and traces of moats can still be found today, serving as important carriers of Harbin's historical memory.

It is worth noting that the Harbin region also preserves several beacon tower sites from the Qing Dynasty. In Shuangcheng District and Wuchang City, over ten beacon towers built of rammed earth are scattered across the area, standing approximately five to eight meters tall with square bases and observation platforms at the top. These beacon towers were first built during the Kangxi reign to transmit border military intelligence, forming an important part of the Qing Dynasty's northeastern frontier defense system. In 2019, the beacon tower site in Wanlong Township, Shuangcheng District was designated as a provincial-level cultural heritage protection unit and underwent systematic restoration and conservation.

IV. The Chinese Eastern Railway: The Birth Code of a City

In 1896, the Qing government, under coercion from Tsarist Russia, signed the Sino-Russian Secret Treaty, allowing Russia to construct the Chinese Eastern Railway within northeastern China. In 1898, the Chinese Eastern Railway Engineering Bureau established its temporary headquarters at Tianjia Shaoguo (present-day Xiangfang District, Harbin) on the banks of the Songhua River, marking the official founding of Harbin as a city. The railway project centered on Harbin, extending eastward via Mudanjiang to Suifenhe, westward via Qiqihar to Manzhouli, and southward via Changchun to Dalian, forming a "T"-shaped network with a total length of approximately 2,500 kilometers.

The construction of the Chinese Eastern Railway fundamentally transformed Harbin's destiny. Within just a few years, railway workers, engineers, merchants, and missionaries flocked in from Russia, Poland, Germany, Japan, and other countries, and Harbin rapidly became a transportation hub and commercial center in Northeast Asia. After the railway's full operation in 1903, Harbin's population surged to over one hundred thousand, with new urban districts such as Daoli and Nangang rising from the ground. Russian expatriates built Orthodox churches, banks, hotels, theaters, and other European-style buildings in Harbin. The Baroque and Eclectic-style architectural clusters along Central Street remain well-preserved to this day, symbolizing Harbin's unique urban character.

The Chinese Eastern Railway not only brought architecture and population but also introduced modern industry, education, and healthcare systems. In 1902, Russians established Harbin's first power plant—the Chinese Eastern Railway General Factory Power Station—providing electric lighting for the city. In 1906, the predecessor of Harbin Institute of Technology, the Harbin Sino-Russian Industrial School, was founded, becoming one of the earliest institutions of higher learning in Northeast China. In 1920, Harbin established one of China's earliest radio stations—Harbin Radio Broadcasting Station—ushering in the era of radio waves in the Northeast region. It can be said that the Chinese Eastern Railway was the catalyst for Harbin's urban civilization, rapidly propelling this once-obscure Songhua River fishing village into the ranks of an international metropolis.

V. Ancient Cities, Ancient Pagodas, and Ancient Pavilions: Frozen Historical Landmarks

Among the extant historical architectural relics in the Harbin area, Jin Dynasty artifacts are the most precious. The Shangjing Huining Prefecture Site of the Jin Dynasty, located in the southern suburbs of Acheng District, was listed by the State Council in 1961 as one of the first batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units. A large number of Jin Dynasty bronze mirrors, ironware, porcelain, and architectural components have been unearthed at the site, among which artifacts such as the bronze seated dragon and bronze bound dog are exquisitely crafted with superb workmanship, truly masterpieces of Jin Dynasty art. The Shangjing History Museum of the Jin Dynasty houses over 3,000 cultural relics, systematically showcasing the origins, development, and influence of Jin Source Culture.

The Jin Dynasty Yagou Stone Carvings are located on the rock face southeast of Yagou Town in Acheng District, featuring Jurchen warrior figures and human face images with bold, powerful lines—a rare treasure of Jin Dynasty cliff stone carving art in Northeast China. The carved warrior stands about 1.85 meters tall, wearing a helmet and armor, with a quiver at his waist and a spear in hand, exuding a majestic and vigorous bearing that reflects the martial spirit of the Jurchen people. The human face image, with a round face and large ears and a serene expression, is believed to represent a Jin Dynasty noble or a shamanic deity. The Yagou Stone Carvings were designated a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit in 1988, and now feature protective covers and visitor walkways, allowing tourists to closely admire this thousand-year-old stone carving art.

The Confucian Temple and Xiao Hong's Former Residence in Hulan District are important cultural landmarks of modern Harbin. The Hulan Confucian Temple, first built in 1927, covers an area of approximately 12,000 square meters and is the largest surviving Confucian temple complex in Heilongjiang Province. The Dacheng Hall, Lingxing Gate, and Pan Pool are well preserved, with red walls, yellow tiles, and upturned eaves, showcasing the solemn elegance of Qing Dynasty official architecture. Xiao Hong's Former Residence, located on South Erdao Street in Hulan District, is the birthplace of the renowned female writer Xiao Hong. This late Qing-early Republic style courtyard covers about 3,500 square meters, featuring blue brick and gray tile construction, a five-bay main hall, and three-bay east and west wing rooms. Inside, items used by Xiao Hong during her lifetime and manuscript replicas are displayed, evoking the creative spirit of this "literary goddess of the 1930s."

The Saint Sophia Cathedral in the city center is one of Harbin's most iconic landmarks. The church was first built in 1907 as a mobile chapel for the Fourth Infantry Division of the Russian Far East, rebuilt in 1923, and completed in 1932. The main structure is in Byzantine style, standing 53.35 meters tall, with a massive dark green onion-shaped dome and a golden cross soaring into the sky. The interior now houses the Harbin Architecture Art Museum, displaying historical photos of the city's development and architectural models that showcase the transformation of the urban landscape over the past century. In 2006, Saint Sophia Church was designated a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit, becoming an iconic symbol of Harbin's blend of Chinese and Western architectural culture.

6. Homeland of Intangible Heritage: The Cultural DNA of Ice, Snow, Fishing, and Hunting

Harbin's intangible cultural heritage is rich and diverse, with ice and snow culture being the most representative. The history of Harbin's ice and snow culture can be traced back to the folk ice lantern-making techniques of the Qing Dynasty. According to the "Records of Heilongjiang," during the Qing Dynasty, locals in the Heilongjiang region made ice lanterns for the Lantern Festival, freezing water into ice covers with candles burning inside, placing them at doorways or in courtyards to enhance the festive atmosphere. This folk custom was preserved and developed in Harbin. In 1963, the city held its first Ice Lantern Garden Party, marking the birth of modern ice and snow art. In 1985, the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival was officially established, becoming the first festival in China themed around ice and snow. In 1999, Harbin Ice and Snow World debuted on the banks of the Songhua River, featuring grand-scale ice and snow sculptures with exquisite designs, and has now become the world's largest ice and snow theme park.

Fangzheng paper-cutting is another national-level intangible cultural heritage item in the Harbin region. Located in eastern Harbin, Fangzheng County's paper-cutting art originated in the Qing Dynasty, blending paper-cutting techniques of Manchu, Han, Korean, and other ethnic groups to form a distinctive style characterized by full compositions, smooth lines, and exaggerated shapes. Fangzheng paper-cutting covers a wide range of themes, including traditional patterns such as flowers, birds, fish, insects, and animals, as well as folk scenes depicting Manchu shamanic rituals and fishing-hunting life. In 2008, Fangzheng paper-cutting was inscribed on the national intangible cultural heritage list, and currently has 1 national-level inheritor, 5 provincial-level inheritors, and over 30 county-level inheritors. Fangzheng paper-cutting has been exhibited both domestically and internationally on numerous occasions, becoming an important calling card for Harbin's cultural export.

Harbin also boasts a range of unique traditional crafts with local characteristics. The culinary technique of Lao Chu Jia Guobaorou (sweet and sour pork) represents Harbin's food culture. Guobaorou was created by chef Zheng Xingwen of the Daotai government office in Harbin during the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty. It is made by slicing and marinating pork tenderloin, coating it in starch batter, deep-frying it, and then cooking it with a sweet and sour sauce, resulting in a crispy exterior, tender interior, and a pleasantly sweet and tangy flavor. In 2019, the culinary technique of Lao Chu Jia Guobaorou was listed as a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage item in Heilongjiang. The sausage-making technique of Qiulin Lidaosi red sausage also has a long history, with its craft originating from Russian sausage-making methods. It uses high-quality pork and beef, seasoned with garlic, black pepper, and other spices, and undergoes multiple processes including curing, stuffing, roasting, and smoking, producing a firm texture and distinctive flavor. Harbin red sausage has become one of the most iconic culinary symbols of this city.

The Hezhe ethnic group's Imakan storytelling art has also been preserved and passed down in the Harbin area. Small communities of Hezhe people live in Yilan County, Fangzheng County, and other areas, maintaining their ancient fishing-hunting culture and oral traditions. Imakan is a unique form of storytelling art specific to the Hezhe people, performed in the Hezhe language, with content covering myths, legends, heroic tales, and customs of daily life. In 2011, Imakan was inscribed on UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. The Harbin Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center has established a Hezhe Imakan training institute in Yilan County, holding regular classes to cultivate young inheritors and ensure the continuation of this ancient art form.

7. The Architectural Code of Ancient Castles: A Fusion of Chinese and Western Architectural Art

Harbin's architecture can be described as a "museum of world architecture," featuring both the solemn elegance of classical Chinese buildings and the romantic splendor of Western styles. Central Street is the concentrated showcase of Harbin's architectural culture. This pedestrian street, stretching 1,450 meters in total length, was first built in 1898, paved with smooth bread-stone blocks and lined with 71 buildings of diverse styles, encompassing Baroque, Eclecticism, Art Nouveau, and Renaissance styles, among others.

The Baroque-style architecture is represented by the Education Bookstore (formerly Matsuura Yoko) on Central Street. Built in 1909, this three-story brick-and-concrete structure features richly decorated facades, with typical Baroque elements such as scroll and shell motifs adorning the cornices, window lintels, and balconies, crowned by a green dome that gives it an ornate and dynamic appearance. The Eclectic-style architecture is represented by the Modern Hotel on Central Street. Built in 1913, this building blends French Classicism, Renaissance, and Art Nouveau styles, with a clearly defined three-part facade division, exquisite reliefs on the piers between windows, and a circular corner turret, presenting an overall dignified and grand look. The Art Nouveau-style architecture is represented by the Daoli Qiulin Company on Central Street. Built in 1919, this building features smooth curves and natural floral patterns on its facade, with lightweight and graceful wrought-iron railings and window ornaments, embodying the Art Nouveau aesthetic of pursuing natural forms.

Harbin's church architecture is equally diverse in style. The Byzantine style of Saint Sophia Cathedral goes without saying. The Church of the Protection of the Mother of God in Nangang District is a typical Russian Orthodox building, constructed in 1935. Its floor plan is cross-shaped, with a massive octagonal dome at the center and smaller domes at the four corners, giving it a steady and solemn overall form. The New Jewish Synagogue in Daoli District, built in 1921, was an important religious site for Harbin's Jewish community. The building adopts the Roman Revival style, with large arched windows and columns on its facade, and now serves as the Harbin Museum of Jewish History and Culture. These church buildings are not only places for religious activities but also historical witnesses to Harbin's multicultural integration.

Harbin's traditional residential architecture is also quite distinctive. The Chinese Baroque architectural complex in Daowai District is the largest surviving Chinese Baroque-style architectural block in China, with approximately 200 buildings still standing. Most of these buildings are two-to-three-story brick-and-wood structures, with street-facing facades featuring Baroque-style carvings, columns, pediments, and other elements, while the interior courtyards retain the traditional Chinese siheyuan (courtyard house) layout, creating a unique spatial form of "foreign outside, Chinese inside." In 2010, Harbin launched a conservation and restoration project for the Chinese Baroque architectural complex, transforming this historic cultural district into a city landmark integrating commerce, tourism, and culture.

8. Living Heritage: The Contemporary Continuation of Historical Memory

Harbin's historical and cultural heritage conservation efforts have achieved remarkable results in recent years. In 2018, Harbin promulgated and implemented the "Regulations on the Protection of Famous Historical and Cultural Cities of Harbin," bringing historic buildings, historic cultural districts, and traditional villages under statutory protection. To date, the city boasts 26 national key cultural relics protection units, 112 provincial-level cultural relics protection units, and over 200 municipal-level cultural relics protection units. Harbin's planning authorities have also developed conservation plans for historic cultural districts, carrying out comprehensive restoration of Central Street, the Chinese Baroque district, and the Huayuan Street historic cultural district.

The living transmission of intangible cultural heritage has also yielded fruitful results. Since its establishment in 2006, the Harbin Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center has built a complete listing system comprising 4 national-level intangible cultural heritage projects, 45 provincial-level projects, and 128 municipal-level projects. Intangible cultural heritage projects such as ice and snow sculpture techniques, Fangzheng paper-cutting, Northeast drum singing, and Errenzhuan have all established training centers or inheritance bases, where regular heritage training and exhibition exchange activities are held. Harbin Ice-Snow World invites ice sculpture artists to perform live carving demonstrations every winter, allowing visitors to experience the charm of ice and snow art up close. Fangzheng paper-cutting inheritors have repeatedly visited schools and communities to teach paper-cutting skills, cultivating a group of young enthusiasts.

Harbin also places emphasis on using digital technology to protect and showcase historical and cultural heritage. In 2021, Harbin's cultural relics department launched the "Digital Harbin" project, conducting 3D scanning and digital modeling of key heritage buildings and sites, and establishing a cultural relics information database. Visitors can scan QR codes with their mobile phones to access detailed historical information about heritage buildings and virtual guided tour services. Attractions such as Saint Sophia Cathedral and the Jin Shangjing Huining Prefecture ruins have all achieved digital displays, enhancing the visiting experience and the effectiveness of cultural dissemination.

The revitalization and utilization of historical and cultural heritage has also injected new momentum into Harbin's urban development. After renovation and restoration, the Chinese Baroque Historical and Cultural District has introduced cultural and creative shops, specialty dining, art studios, and other business formats, making it an important venue for tourists to experience Harbin's folk culture. Projects such as Laodaowai specialty snacks, demonstrations of Harbin red sausage-making techniques, and Hezhe fish-skin painting experiences allow visitors to feel Harbin's unique cultural charm while tasting food and participating in hands-on activities. The successful hosting of the 9th Asian Winter Games in 2025 has brought Harbin's ice-and-snow culture and historic architecture into the global spotlight, driving the integrated development of cultural tourism industries.

IX. Echoes of History: Timeless Lessons from Harbin's Century of Change

Looking back at Harbin's history, from the fishing and hunting traces of the ancient Sushen people, to the dynastic grandeur of the Jin Dynasty's founding heartland, to the international metropolis born of the Chinese Eastern Railway, this city has undergone profound transformations as vast as the shifting of seas into mulberry fields. The Songhua River has witnessed the rise and fall of countless historical events, while the cobblestones of Central Street record the traces of different civilizations colliding and blending here. Harbin's historical trajectory reflects the complete journey of Northeast China from a remote frontier wilderness to a modern, international city.

Harbin's multicultural DNA is its most precious urban asset. The Jurchen culture of the Jin Dynasty, Manchu culture of the Qing Dynasty, Russian expatriate culture, Jewish culture, and migrant culture from within the Great Wall interwove on this land, forging an open, inclusive, and eclectic urban character. This cultural diversity is not only reflected in material aspects such as architecture, cuisine, and art, but is also deeply rooted in the spiritual temperament of Harbin's people. Today, as we stroll along Central Street, gaze up at the dome of Saint Sophia Cathedral, or linger amid the dazzling lights of the Ice and Snow World, we can feel the city's profound historical heritage and unique cultural charm.

The preservation and inheritance of historical and cultural heritage is not only a necessity for urban development, but also a manifestation of cultural confidence. In the process of rapid urbanization, Harbin has always prioritized the protection of historic districts, heritage buildings, and intangible cultural heritage, striving to achieve a harmonious coexistence of history and modernity. The archaeological excavation and exhibition of the Shangjing Huining Prefecture site of the Jin Dynasty, the revitalization of the Chinese Baroque Historic District, and the innovative development of ice and snow culture are all successful practices of Harbin's exploration of combining cultural heritage protection with utilization.

Standing at a new historical starting point, Harbin is embracing the world with a more open attitude. As the "Ice City" and "Oriental Moscow," this city will continue to leverage its unique historical and cultural advantages, innovating through inheritance and developing through innovation, allowing a century of historical memory to shine even more brightly in the new era. The Songhua River still flows eastward, and Harbin's story continues. Every visitor to this city can, amidst the interweaving of history and reality, understand its past, present, and future.

I. The Spark of Revolution: The Rise of the Chinese Eastern Railway Workers' Movement

Harbin's modern revolutionary history is closely tied to the Chinese Eastern Railway. In the early 20th century, with the operation of the Chinese Eastern Railway, Harbin formed a large community of industrial workers. Railway workers, dockworkers, construction workers, and others suffered under the dual oppression of Russian colonialists and feudal forces, living in hardship with growing resistance. After the outbreak of the 1905 Russian Revolution, Russian workers in Harbin held multiple strikes and demonstrations, with Chinese workers actively participating, marking the beginning of Harbin's labor movement.

Following the victory of the October Revolution in Russia in 1917, Marxist thought was introduced to Harbin via the Chinese Eastern Railway. Between 1918 and 1920, a large number of Russian émigrés and progressive figures arrived in Harbin, bringing Marxist books and publications. Progressive intellectuals and workers in Harbin began to engage with and study Marxist theory, laying the ideological foundation for the establishment of party organizations. After the founding of the Communist Party of China in 1921, it immediately set about carrying out revolutionary activities in the Northeast region. In 1923, the Beijing District Committee of the CPC sent Chen Weiren and Li Zhenying to Harbin to carry out work; they opened the "Harbin Bookstore" in Daoli District, secretly selling progressive publications and spreading revolutionary ideas.

In 1925, the Harbin Special Branch of the CPC was formally established, marking the first local organization of the Communist Party of China in the Northeast. After its establishment, the Special Branch actively led labor and student movements. In 1926, under the leadership of the Harbin Special Branch of the CPC, workers on the Chinese Eastern Railway staged a large-scale strike demanding improved working conditions and higher wages. The strike lasted for several days and ultimately forced the railway authorities to partially meet the workers' demands. This strike tempered the workers' ranks and expanded the Party's influence.

After the August 7th Meeting of 1927, the Manchuria Provincial Committee of the Chinese Communist Party was established in Harbin to lead the revolutionary struggle in Northeast China. The Manchuria Provincial Committee's office was located in a private residence on West 14th Street in Daoli District, Harbin, where underground work was carried out in secret. The Provincial Committee published revolutionary periodicals such as "Manchuria Communications" and "Harbin Workers" to promote the Party's principles, organized workers' night schools and reading groups, and cultivated revolutionary backbone cadres. Before the September 18th Incident in 1931, Harbin already had over 100 CCP members, dozens of Communist Youth League members, and thousands of union members, making it one of the cities in Northeast China with the most concentrated revolutionary forces.

II. Liberation and Enlistment: The Anti-Japanese Surge After the September 18th Incident

On September 18, 1931, the Japanese Kwantung Army brazenly launched the September 18th Incident. The Northeast Army implemented a policy of non-resistance, and Japanese forces quickly occupied cities such as Shenyang and Changchun. On September 21, the Japanese 2nd Division invaded Harbin. Xi Qia, Chief of Staff of the Jilin Military Headquarters, defected to the enemy, while Zhang Zuoxiang, Chief of Staff of the Northeast Border Defense Army's Jilin Deputy Commander's Office, abandoned his post and fled. The situation in Harbin suddenly became tense, and the entire city's population was filled with indignation, with people from all walks of life demanding resistance against Japan.

In January 1932, Japanese troops approached Harbin. Patriotic commanders stationed in Harbin, including Li Du of the 24th Brigade, Ding Chao of the 28th Brigade, and Xing Zhanqing of the 26th Brigade of the Northeast Army, resolutely decided to resist. On January 31, Li Du and other commanders held a military meeting in Harbin, deciding to establish the Jilin Self-Defense Army Headquarters, with Li Du elected as Commander-in-Chief to command the Defense of Harbin. On February 1, the Japanese 2nd Division launched an attack on Harbin under the cover of aircraft and tanks. The Self-Defense Army soldiers fought bravely from their fortifications, engaging in fierce battles with the enemy in areas such as Guxiangtun and Shanghao (present-day Xiangfang District). Despite their inferior equipment, the Self-Defense Army soldiers maintained high morale and repelled multiple Japanese attacks. On February 4, Japanese reinforcements arrived, and the Self-Defense Army, caught between two fronts, was forced to withdraw from Harbin. On February 5, Harbin fell to the enemy. The Defense of Harbin was a large-scale resistance operation spontaneously organized by patriotic officers and soldiers of the Northeast Army. Although it ended in failure, it demonstrated the unyielding will of the Chinese people to resist Japanese aggression.

After the fall of Harbin, large numbers of patriotic youth and intellectuals enlisted in the military, joining the anti-Japanese national salvation movement. Chinese Communist Party members Zhao Shangzhi, Yang Jingyu, and Zhou Baozhong successively went to the areas around Harbin to organize anti-Japanese armed forces. In 1932, Zhao Shangzhi organized an anti-Japanese guerrilla force in Bayan County, which later developed into the Northeast Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Hadong Detachment. During his underground work in Harbin, Yang Jingyu, under the alias Zhang Guanyi, opened the "Sanjiang Restaurant" in Daowai District as a secret contact point, connecting with patriots from all walks of life and gathering supplies for the anti-Japanese resistance. The people of Harbin enthusiastically donated money and goods to support the anti-Japanese armed forces. According to records, between 1933 and 1935, people from all sectors in Harbin donated hundreds of thousands of yuan to the anti-Japanese guerrilla forces, along with countless supplies of medicine, cotton clothing, weapons, and ammunition.

III. Anti-Japanese Democratic Regimes: Guerrilla Base Areas of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army

In February 1936, the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army was established, comprising 11 corps, with many units operating in areas around Harbin. The Third Army of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army, led by Commander Zhao Shangzhi, operated in the mountainous areas east of Harbin, including Bin County, Fangzheng, Tonghe, and Mulan. The Sixth Army, commanded by Xia Yunjie, operated in areas such as Yilan and Tangyuan. The Eleventh Corps, commanded by Qi Zhizhong, operated in the Boli and Huachuan region. These anti-Japanese armed forces established multiple guerrilla base areas around Harbin and set up anti-Japanese democratic regimes.

In the autumn of 1936, the Third Army and Sixth Army of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army held a joint meeting in Taipingchuan, Tangyuan County, and decided to establish the Lower Jiang Anti-Japanese Joint Command to coordinate the anti-Japanese struggle in the lower reaches of the Songhua River. Within the base areas, the Anti-Japanese United Army helped the local people establish mass organizations such as anti-Japanese salvation associations, women's associations, and children's corps, and carried out campaigns to reduce rent and interest, implementing a policy of fair burden-sharing. According to historical records, by 1937, the population of the anti-Japanese guerrilla base areas around Harbin had reached hundreds of thousands, with tens of thousands of members in anti-Japanese salvation associations, forming a relatively stable rear base for the anti-Japanese struggle.

After the outbreak of the full-scale War of Resistance Against Japan in 1937, various units of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army took the initiative to attack, tying down Japanese forces. The anti-Japanese units around Harbin frequently attacked Japanese and puppet strongholds, destroyed railways and bridges, and intercepted military supplies, keeping the Japanese rear areas in constant turmoil. In 1938, the Japanese military concentrated large forces to launch large-scale "suppression campaigns" against the anti-Japanese base areas around Harbin, and the anti-Japanese units persisted in their struggle under extremely difficult conditions. In 1939, the Third Route Army of the Anti-Japanese United Army established anti-Japanese guerrilla zones in the Longbei region, capturing county towns such as Nehe and Keshan, and gaining great prestige.

After 1940, the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army entered its most arduous period. The Japanese military implemented the "collective hamlet" policy, forcing mountain residents to move into "human pens," cutting off contact between the anti-Japanese units and the people. The anti-Japanese units suffered severe casualties from combat and shortages of clothing and food in the freezing wilderness. To preserve their strength, in 1942, the main forces of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army (NAUA) gradually withdrew into the Soviet Union for training, forming the NAUA Teaching Brigade. During their training in the Soviet Union, the NAUA soldiers never forgot their homeland, persisting in military drills and political study, always ready to fight their way back to Northeast China. In August 1945, the NAUA Teaching Brigade joined the Soviet army's counteroffensive into Northeast China and took part in the battle to liberate Harbin.

4. Famous Battles: Fierce Fighting Around the Ice City

Numerous important battles took place in the Harbin area during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, with the most representative being the Sanchahe Battle, the Bingtangzi Battle, and the Wuchangbao Battle.

The Sanchahe Battle occurred in November 1936, when Zhao Shangzhi's Third Army of the NAUA was surrounded by elite Japanese forces in the Sanchahe area of Tonghe County. Zhao Shangzhi directed his troops to exploit the terrain advantage, engaging the Japanese in fierce combat for a full day, killing or wounding over 100 Japanese soldiers and successfully breaking through the encirclement. During the battle, NAUA soldiers fought in temperatures of minus 30 degrees Celsius or lower; some had fingers and toes frozen off yet continued fighting, demonstrating astonishing willpower.

The Bingtangzi Battle is a famous example in the Third Army's combat history of defeating a larger force with a smaller one. In March 1937, Zhao Shangzhi led over 200 NAUA soldiers to set up an ambush at Bingtangzi in Tongbei County (now Bei'an City), using the advantage of the slippery ice surface where Japanese troops could hardly keep their footing, to ambush a Japanese punitive force, killing or wounding over 300 Japanese soldiers while suffering only 7 casualties themselves. The Bingtangzi Victory greatly boosted the morale of the anti-Japanese soldiers and civilians, becoming a glorious chapter in the history of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army.

The Wuchangbao Battle took place in August 1937, when Wang Yachen's troops of the 10th Army of the Anti-Japanese United Army attacked Wuchang County town. Wang Yachen led over 300 soldiers disguised as puppet troops to cleverly capture Wuchangbao, annihilating over 100 Japanese and puppet soldiers and seizing large quantities of weapons, ammunition, and grain. This was an important victory for the Anti-Japanese United Army in the southern Harbin area, earning Wang Yachen the reputation of a "resourceful and courageous anti-Japanese commander."

In addition, Fangzheng County, Yilan County, Bin County, and other areas around Harbin were also frequent zones of activity for the Anti-Japanese United Army. In 1938, Xia Yunjie, commander of the 6th Army of the Anti-Japanese United Army, died heroically in the battle in Yilan County. In 1939, Qi Zhizhong, commander of the 11th Army of the Anti-Japanese United Army, died a heroic martyr in the battle in Huachuan County. These battles and sacrifices bear witness to the arduous struggle of the anti-Japanese resistance around Harbin and the fearless bravery of the Anti-Japanese United Army soldiers.

5. Coordinating the Great War: Harbin's Important Role in the Northeast Battlefield

On August 8, 1945, the Soviet Union declared war on Japan, and one million Soviet troops attacked the Japanese forces in Northeast China in three routes. On August 9, Mao Zedong issued the statement "The Final Battle Against Japanese Aggressors," calling upon all anti-Japanese forces in China to launch a nationwide counteroffensive. The Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army Teaching Brigade operated alongside Soviet forces, serving as guides and scouts. On August 18, Soviet airborne troops landed at Harbin Taiping Airport and occupied Harbin. On August 19, the vanguard of the Soviet Far Eastern First Front's 15th Army entered downtown Harbin, forcing the Japanese 5th Army to surrender. On August 20, Harbin was liberated.

After the liberation of Harbin, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China quickly dispatched cadres to Harbin to carry out work. In September 1945, troops of the 16th Sub-Area of the Eighth Route Army's Ji-Re-Liao Military Region, led by Zeng Kelin and Tang Kai, entered Shenyang and then advanced toward Harbin. In October, central leaders Chen Yun and Peng Zhen arrived in Shenyang and established the Northeast Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. In November, the CPC North Manchuria Sub-Bureau was established in Harbin, with Chen Yun as secretary, to lead party work and military struggles across the northern Manchuria region. On April 28, 1946, the Northeast Democratic United Army liberated Harbin, making it one of the earliest major cities liberated nationwide.

After the liberation of Harbin, it became an important rear base for the Northeast Liberation War. The Northeast Democratic United Army (later renamed the Northeast Field Army) established logistics headquarters, ordnance departments, health departments, and quartermaster departments in Harbin, setting up military industrial enterprises, clothing factories, automobile repair plants, and other logistical support facilities. According to records, within just six months after Harbin's liberation, over 100,000 new soldiers were sent to the front lines, tens of thousands of tons of grain were collected, and hundreds of thousands of pairs of military shoes were produced. Harbin's railway factories, machinery plants, and other enterprises worked day and night to produce artillery shells, grenades, firearm parts, and other military supplies, powerfully supporting the Northeast Liberation War.

6. Support and Liberation: The Great Contributions of the People of Harbin

During the Liberation War, the people of Harbin enthusiastically supported the front lines, giving rise to many moving stories. In 1947, Harbin launched a large-scale campaign to join the army and participate in the war, and young people responded actively to the call to enlist. According to statistics, throughout the entire Liberation War, tens of thousands of young people from Harbin joined the army, and many shed blood on the battlefield, sacrificing their precious lives for the liberation of the Northeast and all of China.

Harbin's workers produced military supplies around the clock. Workers at the Harbin Rolling Stock Plant (formerly the Chinese Eastern Railway Main Works) raised the slogan "Everything for the Front," working overtime to repair locomotives and manufacture weapons. Workers at the Harbin Garment Factory rushed to produce military uniforms and boots, ensuring the winter supply for frontline soldiers. Women in Harbin organized themselves to sew comfort bags and embroider silk banners for the troops, conveying the deep affection of the people back home.

In September 1948, the Liaoshen Campaign began. As the rear base of the Northeast Field Army, Harbin undertook heavy logistical support tasks. The railway department organized special trains to transport large quantities of ammunition, grain, and medicine to the front lines. Medical institutions in Harbin organized multiple medical teams to provide battlefield rescue alongside the troops. According to incomplete statistics, during the Liaoshen Campaign, the people of Harbin supplied 120 million jin of grain, 4 million jin of pork, 1 million pairs of military boots, and tens of millions of yuan in cash to the front. The tremendous contributions of the Harbin people provided solid material support for the victory of the Liaoshen Campaign.

In November 1948, the entire Northeast region was liberated. While celebrating the victory, the people of Harbin continued to support the liberation war in the areas south of the Great Wall. Large numbers of cadres from Harbin followed the army southward to take part in the takeover and construction of newly liberated areas. Harbin's factories continued producing military supplies to support the nationwide liberation. On October 1, 1949, the People's Republic of China was founded, and the people of Harbin were immersed in great joy—this heroic city finally embraced true peace and liberation.

VII. Base Area Construction: A Model City of the Northeast Liberated Area

After Harbin's liberation, some organs of the Northeast Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and the Northeast Administrative Committee moved to Harbin, making it one of the political centers of the Northeast Liberated Area. Between 1946 and 1948, Harbin achieved remarkable progress in Party building, political power construction, economic development, and cultural development, becoming a model for urban work in the Northeast Liberated Area.

In terms of political power construction, in July 1946, Harbin convened its first provisional council, electing the Harbin Provisional Council and the municipal government, with Liu Chengdong serving as mayor. This was the first people's government of a major city under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party. After its establishment, the municipal government swiftly carried out work on restoring social order, providing relief to the poor, and resuming production. In 1947, Harbin launched a land reform movement, and farmers in the suburbs received land, becoming masters of their own destiny.

In terms of economic construction, Harbin actively worked to restore and develop industrial production. The municipal government took over factories and enterprises left by the Japanese puppet regime and organized workers to resume production. In 1947, Harbin's total industrial output value reached the highest level before liberation. Commerce and the financial sector also gradually recovered, with a thriving market and stable prices. Harbin's military industries operated at full capacity, supplying a large quantity of weapons and equipment to the front lines.

In terms of cultural development, Harbin vigorously advanced education, publishing, and the arts. Institutions such as Northeast University (later relocated to Changchun) and Northeast Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts operated in Harbin, training a large number of talents for revolution and construction. Newspapers including Harbin Daily and Northeast Daily were published and distributed in Harbin, promoting the Party's policies and guidelines. Northeast Film Studio (later relocated to Changchun) was established in Harbin, producing news documentaries such as "Democratic Northeast" that recorded historical scenes of the Northeast Liberation War.

Harbin's urban construction also made significant progress. The municipal government organized efforts to repair roads, bridges, and water and power supply facilities damaged by the war, improving the city's infrastructure. The flood control facilities along the Songhua River were reinforced, and the city took on a completely new look. As a central city in the Northeast Liberated Area, Harbin made significant contributions to supporting the front lines and building the rear base.

VIII. Portraits of Heroes: The Glorious Footprints of Harbin's Anti-Japanese Martyrs

Harbin's history of resistance against Japanese aggression was written with the blood and lives of countless heroic figures. Among them were outstanding Party leaders, valiant and skilled military commanders, steadfast underground workers, and ordinary citizens who eagerly supported the front lines. Their names and deeds are forever etched in the hearts of the people of Harbin.

Zhao Shangzhi (1908-1942), a native of Chaoyang, Liaoning, served as commander of the Third Army of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army and commander-in-chief of the Northern Manchuria Anti-Japanese United Army. Zhao Shangzhi joined the Communist Party of China in 1925 and was dispatched by the Party organization in 1932 to organize anti-Japanese armed forces around Harbin. Resourceful and brave in battle, he led the Third Army of the Anti-Japanese United Army in campaigns along both banks of the Songhua River, dealing heavy blows to the Japanese puppet forces. On February 12, 1942, while attacking the Wutonghe puppet police substation in Hegang, Zhao Shangzhi was shot and captured by a Japanese puppet spy who had infiltrated the ranks. He refused to surrender and died a heroic death at the age of just 34.

Yang Jingyu (1905-1940), a native of Queshan, Henan, was the Commander-in-Chief and Political Commissar of the First Route Army of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army. In 1932, Yang Jingyu was sent by the Party organization to work in Harbin, where he served as Secretary of the CPC Harbin Municipal Committee and Acting Secretary of the Military Commission of the CPC Manchuria Provincial Committee. He went deep among the workers, organized anti-Japanese national salvation associations, and made significant contributions to the anti-Japanese struggle in Harbin. On February 23, 1940, Yang Jingyu died heroically in a fierce battle against Japanese troops in Mengjiang, Jilin (now Jingyu County). When the Japanese soldiers cut open his abdomen, they were shocked to find only grass roots, tree bark, and cotton wadding in his stomach.

Li Zhaolin (1910-1946), a native of Liaoyang, Liaoning, was the Commander-in-Chief of the Third Route Army of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army. Li Zhaolin joined the CPC in 1932 and carried out anti-Japanese struggles in the areas around Harbin for a long time. He led his troops to capture the county towns of Nehe and Keshan, striking fear into the enemy across northern Manchuria. After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, Li Zhaolin served as Deputy Governor of Binjiang Province and President of the Sino-Soviet Friendship Association. On March 9, 1946, Li Zhaolin was assassinated by Kuomintang secret agents at No. 9 Shuidao Street, Daoli District, Harbin, at the young age of 36. To commemorate him, the people of Harbin renamed Daoli Park as Zhaolin Park.

Zhao Yiman (1905-1936), a native of Yibin, Sichuan, served as political commissar of the 2nd Regiment of the 3rd Army of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army. In 1935, Zhao Yiman carried out anti-Japanese struggles in the Zhuhe area (today's Shangzhi City), and in November of that year, she was wounded and captured in battle against Japanese troops. In the prison of the puppet Manchukuo Police Department in Harbin, Zhao Yiman endured brutal torture but remained unyielding. On August 2, 1936, Zhao Yiman was heroically executed at Xiaobeimen in Zhuhe County, at the young age of 31. In the farewell letter she left for her son before her death, she wrote: "Mother does not need a thousand words to educate you; she educates you through action. Zhao Yiman's story has inspired generation after generation of Chinese people.

Countless unnamed heroes also gave their precious lives for the liberation of Harbin. In the Harbin Martyrs' Cemetery rest famous martyrs such as Zhao Shangzhi and Zhao Yiman, along with hundreds of revolutionary martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the War of Resistance Against Japan and the War of Liberation. Every Qingming Festival, people from all walks of life in Harbin come to the martyrs' cemetery to pay tribute, honor the fallen heroes, and carry forward the red legacy.

IX. Memory and Commemoration: The Inheritance and Promotion of Red Culture

Harbin places great emphasis on the protection and utilization of revolutionary historical and cultural heritage, having established numerous memorial halls, martyrs' cemeteries, and patriotic education bases to ensure the red legacy is passed down through generations.

The Northeast Martyrs Memorial Hall is located on Yiman Street in Nangang District, originally the site of the former Manchukuo Harbin Police Headquarters. On October 10, 1948, the Northeast Martyrs Memorial Hall officially opened, becoming the first large-scale revolutionary martyrs memorial hall established under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. The memorial hall covers an exhibition area of over 4,000 square meters, displaying more than 5,000 artifacts, photographs, and historical materials, comprehensively showcasing the heroic deeds of revolutionary martyrs during the Northeast Anti-Japanese War and the War of Liberation. The memorial hall features dedicated exhibition areas for renowned martyrs such as Zhao Shangzhi, Yang Jingyu, and Zhao Yiman, vividly recreating their heroic images and noble spirit through physical objects, photographs, and scene reconstructions. In 1986, the Northeast Martyrs Memorial Hall was designated as a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit and is now a National Patriotic Education Demonstration Base.

The Exhibition Hall of the Crimes of the Japanese Imperial Army Unit 731, located in Pingfang District, is a specialized museum exposing the crimes of Japanese militarism's biological warfare. Unit 731 was a biological warfare unit established by the Japanese Imperial Army in Harbin. Between 1936 and 1945, it conducted extensive human experiments and biological weapon development activities here, causing immense suffering to large numbers of Chinese soldiers, civilians, and international friends. When the Japanese troops retreated in 1945, they demolished the main facilities to destroy evidence of their crimes. In 2001, the Exhibition Hall of the Crimes of the Japanese Imperial Army Unit 731 officially opened to the public, displaying a large collection of physical evidence, photographs, and historical materials that condemn the heinous crimes of Japanese militarism. In 2014, the former site of Unit 731 was listed as a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit, and it now serves as a National Patriotic Education Demonstration Base and a National-Level Memorial Facility for the War of Resistance Against Japan.

Harbin Martyrs' Cemetery is located on Tiyu Street in Xiangfang District. Established in 1948, it houses the remains of renowned martyrs such as Zhao Shangzhi, Zhao Yiman, and Li Zhaolin. The cemetery covers an area of approximately 40,000 square meters, with lush evergreen pines and cypresses creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere. The Martyrs' Monument towers into the sky, with eight golden characters inscribed on its shaft: "Revolutionary Martyrs Are Immortal." The cemetery also features a Memorial Hall of Martyrs' Deeds, showcasing the life stories of revolutionary martyrs from the Harbin region. Every Qingming Festival and Martyrs' Memorial Day, party and government organs, stationed troops, schools, and people from all walks of life in Harbin gather at the cemetery to hold commemorative activities and pay tribute to the revolutionary martyrs.

Harbin also places emphasis on integrating red culture into urban development and tourism growth. Revolutionary sites such as the former site of the Manchuria Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China on Central Street and the former residence of martyr Zhao Shangzhi have been restored and protected, with memorial markers installed. Harbin has developed a "Red Tour" travel route that links red attractions including the Northeast Martyrs' Memorial Hall, the Exhibition Hall of Evidence of Crimes Committed by Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army, and the Harbin Martyrs' Cemetery, allowing visitors to receive revolutionary tradition education during their tours. Schools in Harbin widely carry out "Red Culture on Campus" activities, conducting patriotic education for young people through themed class meetings, speech contests, and visits to memorial halls.

In recent years, Harbin has actively leveraged new media and digital technologies to spread its revolutionary culture. The Northeast Martyrs Memorial Hall has launched an online exhibition hall, allowing visitors to tour the exhibits over the internet. The Exhibition Hall of Evidence of Crimes Committed by Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army has introduced a VR panoramic display, enabling visitors to experience history immersively. Harbin has also produced several documentaries and film works reflecting the city's local history of the War of Resistance, such as "Zhao Shangzhi" and "Zhao Yiman," which have been broadcast on China Central Television and online platforms, generating widespread social impact.

History is the best textbook and the best sobering agent. Harbin's history of the War of Resistance tells us that the Chinese nation is a great and indomitable people. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people have been able to overcome any difficulties and obstacles and achieve the great victory of national liberation and the people's revolution. Today, as we commemorate the history of the War of Resistance, we aim to remember history, honor the martyrs, cherish peace, and create the future, striving unremittingly to realize the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.