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Zhijiang preserves history of Japan's WWII surrender

2014-09-03 16:34 CNTV Web Editor: Li Yan
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On August 21st, 1945, representatives of the Japanese military signed a memorandum of surrender in Zhijiang county in Huaihua, Hunan province, acknowledging its defeat by China.

On August 21st, 1945, representatives of the Japanese military signed a memorandum of surrender in Zhijiang county in Huaihua, Hunan province, acknowledging its defeat by China.

Very few people know that Zhijiang, a small and quiet county in central China's Hunan province, is the site of Japan's first formal surrender to China after World War Two.

On August 21st, 1945, representatives of the Japanese military signed a memorandum of surrender in Zhijiang county in Huaihua, Hunan province, acknowledging its defeat by China.

In the 69 years since, everything at this site has been kept in its original condition. Though it's not swarming with people like at many other tourist destinations, its historical stature still beckons visitors.

"It's very important for all the Chinese people to remember what happened in Zhijiang in 1945. It marked the first time in modern times that Japan was presented as the loser in war, begging for China's orders," said Ma Zhendu, vice-curator of Second Historical Archives of China.

A recently discovered 20-minute video shot by a US journalist has shed more light on what happened that day.

At 11:15 am, Japanese vice-general secretary Takeo Imai and a delegation of eight people landed at Zhijiang Airport. The convoy circled the airport with white flags on their cars.

Xiao Yisu, a Chinese Army Chief of Staff, then led the one-hour surrendering ceremony. Takeo Imai accepted the details of the memorandum.

"Japan had to refer to Germany's surrender because it did not have any experience in surrendering. The whole process took 52 hours. It marked an end to eight years of Chinese forces fighting the Japanese invaders. I'm so excited that we found this film after 20-years of searching," said Wu Jianhong, curator of Memorial Hall for Japan's Surrender.

Zhijiang was chosen as the surrender site because of its role as an important military fortress during the war. It was home to the second-largest airport in the Far East battlefield that provided cover for a number of planes. It later also became the base for the famed "Flying Tigers" air squadron, led by US General Claire Chennault, which helped resist the Japanese forces.

A museum commemorating General Chennault and his Flying Tigers was also constructed in Zhijiang. Nearly 14-hundred historical artifacts demonstrating the pilots' bravery are on display there.

Together, the museum and the surrender site reflect ‍Zhijiang county's crucial role in the war, and its undeniable place in Chinese history.

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