Opening of Weihsien Concentration Camp Museum attracts attention from all sides of society

September 3rd marks the 75th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The Courtyard of the Happy Way &Weihsien Concentration Camp Museum opened to the public on that day.

LengZhiming, deputy director of the Publicity and Education Bureau of the CPC Publicity Department, Wei Changmin, deputy chief of the Publicity Department of Shandong Provincial Party Committee, and Wang Yanqi, vice director of the Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism attended the event. Hui Xin’an, secretary of the Weifang Municipal Party Committee, delivered a speech. Officials of Weifang Su Like, Liu Yun, Li Lanxiang and Ma Qingmin attended the event. Chu Baojie presided over the opening ceremony.

At 11 o 'clock in the morning of September 3rd, peace songs were playing in the square in front of the "Cross Building" of the Courtyard of the Happy War &Weihsien Concentration Camp Museum. The Five-Starred Red Flag was raised in the square to the sound of the majestic national anthem. Then the participating leaders unveiled the "National Patriotism Education Demonstration Base" and "National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit" for the Courtyard of the Happy Way & Weihsien Concentration Camp Museum, and visited the museum.

In his speech, Hui Xin’an first expressed his heartfelt thanks to friends from all walks of life who have been caring and supporting the development of Weifang for a long time. He said thatthe Courtyard of the Happy Waywhich has a history of more than 130 years is not only a historical witness of the just struggle of overseas Chinese and Chinese people united against Japanese fascism during World War II, but also an important base for the early activities of the Communist Party of China in Weihsien, and has a very importantplace in the history of red revolution in Weifang.

The opening of the museum is of landmark and milestone significance in the protection of cultural relics in Weihsien. It’s anotherimportantachievement in building Weifang into a famous historical and cultural city and will play a positive role in promoting the cultural connotation and quality of the city.

LengZhiming expressed his hope that the museum would further strengthen its publicity and education function and tell the great story of socialism with Chinese characteristics from a new starting point.

Wang Yanqi said that he hoped Weifang would give full play to the advantages of extensive contacts of the museum, constantly enrich the profound connotation of a city of peace, and actively strive to build Weifang into an international city of peace.

In the future, the museum will organize visits to the United States, New Zealand, Israel, Poland, and other countries for a global tour to let more peace-loving people in the world know about this unforgettable history.