A special "Tribute to Veterans" was held at Wanzhou No 2 Senior High School in Chongqing's Wanzhou district on Sunday as the new academic year got underway.

The local government in Chongqing organized the event, which featured veteran storytelling, the showing of historical footage and poetry recitations, to mark the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War. According to organizers, it provided a profound patriotic lesson for both students and teachers.

Notable attendees included local veteran Tan Shiguo, family members of the late veteran Li Quanfu (who passed away in February this year) and the late educator Liu Zilin, and Geng Zhaoyi, a journalist from Wanxian Daily. The highlight of the tribute was when 101-year-old veteran Yu Liangke took the stage with the assistance of family members, proudly wearing a commemorative medal for the anniversary.

Wanzhou boasts a significant legacy of resistance. On Sept 5, 1926, a British warship bombarded its urban area, shocking both China and the wider world, in what became known as the infamous "Sept 5 Incident". Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the people of northeastern Chongqing, where Wanzhou is located, along with those from the neighboring region of Sichuan province launched a vigorous revolutionary struggle. Consequently, Wanzhou became a pivotal center for revolutionary activities, giving rise to many renowned revolutionary figures.

In 1939, Soviet hero Grigory Arimovich Kurichenko (1903-1939) sacrificed his life in Wanzhou while aiding China's fight against Japanese aggression.

In recent years, Wanzhou has promoted patriotic events, integrating these narratives into communities and schools to preserve and honor its rich historical legacy.