WW2-ANNIVERSARY/HONG KONG-MEMORIAL Hong Kong WW2 veterans mark end of Japanese occupation

Record ID: 143760

  • Title: WW2-ANNIVERSARY/HONG KONG-MEMORIAL Hong Kong WW2 veterans mark end of Japanese occupation
  • Date: 16th August 2015
  • Summary: CHINA AND HONG KONG FLAGS
  • Embargoed: 31st August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: China
  • Country: China
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAOB85S549SKN1FX58GFDJCY9J
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: World War Two veterans and diplomats gathered outside Hong Kong's City Hall to mark the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Hong Kong on Sunday (August 16).
    Jointly organized by the Hong Kong Prisoners of War Association and the Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) Association, the memorial ceremony began with two minutes of silence to commemorate those who gave their lives in the defence of Hong Kong during the second World War.
    Carlos Jacinto Pinto, born to a Portuguese father and a Chinese mother, was 12 years old when Japan declared war on British Hong Kong.
    Now 87 years old, he said he had attended all the memorials after serving for 44 years in the volunteer corp.
    "Wow. I have attended this ceremony many times. In uniform and also as a civilian. Today I'll be laying a wreath. Most probably for the last time. I'm now 87. Isn't that old enough?" Pintos chuckled.
    One of the 11 World War II veterans still alive in Hong Kong, 94-year old Peter Choi, was forced to enlist with the British army in 1941.
    At Hong Kong's World War Two Veteran's club, Choi pointed to photographs of him as a young soldier in the British army guarding the border.
    Working as an artillery gunner, he said he shot down a Japanese war plane but said he felt lucky he never had close encounters with his enemy and still feels anger that Japan has not apologised for their conduct.
    "If you're human, you would be angry. They (Japanese) invaded us in China, they insulted us, anyone would be angry. And now they do not even admit it's their fault," he said.
    Hong Kong was occupied by Japan from 1941-1945 which still stirs deep resentment among some of the population.
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