90-year-old WWII veteran inspires Hong Kong youth with tales of valor, peace

90-year-old veteran Lin Zhen hopes for the younger generation to carry forward the spirit of patriotism, bravery, and perseverance of the warfighting heroes.

by Xinhua writer Wang Xinyi

HONG KONG, July 27 (Xinhua) -- At a monument in memory of a group of anti-Japanese aggression martyrs in Lung Kwu Tan in the western part of Tuen Mun District of Hong Kong, 90-year-old veteran Lin Zhen stands with a cane, the medals around her neck glinting in the sunlight.

Despite her frail frame, her voice rings clear as she recounts the heroic deeds of the soldiers of the Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dongjiang Column, an anti-Japanese aggression guerrilla force under the leadership of the Communist Party of China.

In early July, Lin boarded China's first homegrown aircraft carrier, the Shandong, when it led a fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy on a historic visit to Hong Kong as part of celebrations marking the 28th anniversary of the city's return to the motherland.

The occasion evoked memories of a tumultuous past and pride in today's powerful navy, as she hoped for the younger generation to carry forward the spirit of patriotism, bravery, and perseverance of the warfighting heroes.

Looking into the eyes of the children at a military exhibition, Lin recalled her own childhood during the ravages of war. "No one could escape the reality of conflict. If you are Chinese, you must stand united against aggressors," she often tells the young.

On December 8, 1941, Lin, then six, witnessed Japanese planes soaring over Kowloon City in Hong Kong. The roar of engines shattered the morning calm, and the once-bright sun was obscured by smoke. She saw refugees clutching children, their faces streaked with tears, a haunting image that introduced her to death.

Lin could never forget the day Japanese soldiers burst into her home. They tied up and viciously beat her older sister Lin Zhan on completely false pretenses. Lin Zhan later became her inspiration in the war of resistance against Japanese aggression. "If I am killed, avenge me!" her sister's desperate cry etched itself into Lin's memory, intertwining personal and national grief.

"We couldn't just sit here and wait to be beaten," Lin's mother urged, spurring the family to join the resistance. At just eight years old, Lin served as a "little messenger" for the guerrilla fighters, deftly hiding information in her clothing or inside fruit baskets.

Despite her youth, she learned the ways of the battlefield, navigating treacherous terrain to deliver vital messages.

After six months as a messenger, Lin was assigned to a field hospital, where she tended to wounded soldiers. The lack of medical supplies haunted her, yet the soldiers' unwavering spirit inspired her.

A comrade blinded in combat urged her to become a doctor and return after the war to heal his wounded eyes. This plea became her beacon of hope, a light piercing the darkness and cherished deeply in her heart.

After the war, Lin pursued an education in northern China. Upon returning to Hong Kong in 1977, she was dismayed to find a lack of awareness about the history of the local guerrilla force and their sacrifice. So she started to dedicate herself to educating others about the past.

Since settling in Hong Kong in 1995, Lin has actively participated in veterans' organizations, promoting patriotism and historical awareness. Despite her advanced age, she remains a vibrant advocate for youth, leading tours and sharing stories.

At Diocesan Girls' School, a prestigious all-girls secondary school in Hong Kong, students engage in virtual conversations with Lin and other veterans aided by AI, gaining insights into their sacrifices. "To think Lin became a soldier at such a young age is unimaginable for us. I've learned about patriotism and resilience from her," a student told Xinhua.

The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

"Peace is hard-won, and we must cherish and protect it for future generations," Lin said before the memorials, gazing at the vibrant faces of the students before her.■