A history book compiled by the Dalian Port of Liaoning Port Group Co., Ltd. (Liaoning Port Group) under the China Merchants Group (CMG) captures a powerful moment: a faded old photograph shows smoke and flames engulfing Dalian Port during the tumultuous years of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
From 1934 to 1940, a fearless group known as the "Anti-Japanese Aggression Arson Regiment" operated in Dalian in Northeast China’s Liaoning Province, instilling fear in Japanese invaders. Headquartered in Shanghai with Dalian as its core operational area, this organization was mainly composed of workers and grassroots laborers, who used fire as their weapon in a fierce struggle against the aggressors.
A fearless group known as the "Anti-Japanese Aggression Arson Regiment" used fire as their weapon to fight against the aggressors. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
With a mission to destroy military facilities and strategic supplies in Japanese-occupied areas, the group meticulously planned and executed 57 arson attacks, incinerating military assets worth over 30 million Japanese yen. This significant blow severely undermined the arrogance of the invading Japanese forces.
The members of the organization ventured deep into warehouses and factories occupied by the invading Japanese forces, and ignited the flames of resistance against aggressors, symbolizing unwavering patriotism.
Despite the initial belief of the Japanese authorities that these incidents were natural fires, the discovery of chemical traces revealed the truth behind the orchestrated arson attacks, prompting a frantic pursuit of the perpetrators.
In a tragic turn of events in June 1940, the organization was betrayed, leading to the arrest of over 100 members.
Though their bodies succumbed to the enemy's blade, their spirits endure like an unquenchable flame, forever etched in the annals of the Chinese People’s Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The legacy of the Dalian Anti-Japanese Aggression Arson Regiment, with their fervor and sacrifice, illuminates a vivid chapter in the history of the war against aggression.
A view of the modern Dalian Port [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
The Dalian Port, once scarred by war, now stands as a vital maritime gateway for the northeastern provinces and eastern Inner Mongolia, pulsating with vitality under the auspices of the Liaoning Port Group. With modernized handling equipment and a fleet of vessels shuttling to and fro, the port embodies a resurgence empowered by the formidable resources and advanced management expertise of the CMG.
(Executive editor: Yuan Ting)
