Bombing of Chongqing
In 1938, the Japanese military decided to destroy Chinese people’s morale by conducting air raids on the Kuomintang government’s provisional capital, Chongqing in southwestern China. In the days that followed, for the residents of Chongqing, rushing into a shelter at the sound of the alarm became a daily routine, no matter whether they were eating, sleeping or walking on the street, given the intensity of the bombings. However, even shelter was not a safe space, given that the lengthy raids resulted in hundreds dying of suffocation in the shelters. Over 16,000 people lost their lives in the attacks on the city at the time. By all means, Chongqing was nearly wiped off the map, if not for the strength of the people there to persevere and rebuild.
Memorial for WWII Chongqing bombing victims
A ceremony has been held to commemorate the bombing victims of Japanese aggression during World War Two at southwest China's Chongqing municipality.
Flying Tigers Post Office in Chongqing, China
Southwest China's Chongqing municipality has set up a post office named after the Flying Tigers, a U.S. air squadron that helped the Chinese fight Japanese aggressors during World War II.
Authorities say the move is to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory of the anti-Japanese war.
The Flying Tigers, a group of ex-pilots from the U.S. military, were formed in 1941.
Led by Claire Chennault, it flew over China to combat Japanese invaders during World War II, as China's air force was destroyed not long after the war began.
On Wednesday, a flying tiger post office was opened to the public in Chongqing, a metropolis in southwest China.
Postcards sent by this post office will be stuck with General Chennault commemorative stamps and imprinted with a special postmark.
And the first postcard issued was sent to General Chennault's wife Anna Chan Chennault in the U.S. at the opening ceremony.
SOUNDBITE (CHINESE): DAI QINGBIAO, Curator, Chongqing Flying Tiger Museum
Today marks the 78th anniversary of the start of China's eight-year resistance against the Japanese invasion. We set up this post office to remind the ordinary people of that part of history. Only by remembering national humiliation, can we cherish today's peace.
Chongqing was China's wartime capital during WWII, and a command center for the Flying Tigers.
Between December 1941 and September 1945, the U.S. volunteer group shot down thousands of Japanese military planes and killed 66,700 Japanese soldiers.
New 3D film looks at WWII bombing of Chongqing
Celebrities from China, the United States and the Republic of Korea are starring in The Bombing, a new 3D film about the World War II bombing of southwest China's Chongqing Municipality.
WWII Chongqing bombing exhibition kicks off in Tokyo
WWII Chongqing bombing exhibition kicks off in Tokyo on Thursday. The organizer hopes that the exhibition will help Japanese people learn the truth of the horrible event and reflect on Japan's wartime crimes.
Newly-released videos show WWII bombing of Chinese cities
Three newly-released videos have given viewers a glimpse of air raids conducted by the Japanese during WWII that targeted major Chinese cities. The historical footage was shot by Japanese military correspondents.
The Air Bombing of Chongqing
Japanese air raids in Chongqing, starting from 1938, led to the killing of over 16,000 civilians over the years. The raids lasted for nearly 5 years, turning people’s lives into a living hell. Watch this video and send us your views to wwii@cctvnews.cn.
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Anti-Japanese war documentary filmed in 1940 premieres in Chongqing
Kukan, produced by American journalist Rey Scott in 1940, is an Oscar-winning documentary recording China's anti-Japanese aggression war.
The film had been thought lost for nearly seven decades before it was restored.
It finally made its debut in China's southwestern metropolis of Chongqing, one of the shooting places, on Monday.
Bombing of China's WWII capital - 70 years later
In 1937, four years before Pearl Harbor, the Japanese military invaded China, unleashing a wave of terror that killed 14 million people over the next eight years. As China’s nationalist government retreated to Chongqing, Japan furiously bombed the city. The survivors will never forget. (Yue Wu / McClatchy)
Oscar winning documentary proves Japan's crime
Kukan, a documentary about China's resistance against the Japanese invasion during World War II, was shown to Chinese audiences more than 70 years after it was made.
The Oscar winning documentary, Kukan: The Battle Cry of China, was filmed by American correspondent Rey Scott.
The 85-minute movie has never been screened in China and was considered lost after World War II.
SOUNDBITE: (CHINESE)ZHANG YUANYUAN, Theater goer
This is the first time that I see ordinary people's lives through the eyes of foreigners. I was touched by our people's optimism and confidence. We can feel the history and get strength through great documentaries like this.
More than 17 minutes of the film showed a two-day air attack by the Japanese invaders in Chongqing, China's wartime capital during the Japanese invasion, in August 1940.
Scott managed to record the scenes from the roof of the U.S. embassy.
SOUNDBITE:(CHINESE) ZHOU YONG, Researcher
The footage shows Japan' s indiscriminate bombing against this peaceful city. The maniac attack has no restriction so that it became a slaughter of innocent civilians. This film is the best proof of Japan' s war crime.
The research and collaborative innovation center of Chongqing has acquired the right to use the film for 20 years in China, including the mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.
Chungking Bombed
The Japanese are still bombing the Chinese capital of Chungking.
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Chongqing bombings survivors demand Japanese gov't to apologize, compensate
The pain is still in my heart, hurting me both mentally and physically, says survivors of WWII Bombing of Chongqing by the Japanese army, which left tens of thousands dead in the then Chinese capital.
China's wartime capital marks 70th anniv. of WWII victory
The southwest Chinese city of Chongqing has held gatherings and exhibitions to mark the 70th anniversary of its victory in World War II.
Chongqing - China Travel Channel
Chongqing is a direct-controlled municipality and thus equal to Peking, Tianjin and Shanghai. With 33 million inhabitants, it is the gateway to the western regions of China. In only very rare cases you can see a clear sky. Chongqing is thus referred to as the City of Smog. Due to its relatively high air humidity, the climate is often hot and humid. In summer, temperatures often surpass 104° F, and then everything is closed due to the heat wave.
Chongqing shows the dramatic development of China's economy like no other city. Founded more than 4000 years ago, a direct-controlled municipality in 1997, it is estimated that Chongqing will surpass the economic power of Shanghai in 5 years, and surpass Hong Kong in 15 years. In contrast to this, we visited a local fish and meat market, which was not quite up to our standards.
The center of Chongqing, a sea of high-rise buildings, is located on a peninsula on the mouth of the Jialing Jiang in the Yangtze River. The Eling Mountain provides the best view. Chongqing itself is spread out over several hills, which explains why it's also called the Mountain City. During the war against Japan, the small island in the Yangtze served as a land bridge for American supplies to support the Chinese Nationals. Because of this support, the road to Burma could be made free again in battle. The Stilwell Museum – to honor the American general - is a reminder of this event.
Chongqing is the center of the metal-working and automobile industry. Oil and gas also contribute to the economic upswing of the city. With 90 universities, Chongqing is also one of the most important educational centers in China.
Thanks to the hilly landscape of Chongqing, not many bicycles are seen. But there are many shoulder carriers which helps limit the amount of automobile traffic.
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Chongqing - Stadt mit dem Status einer regierungs-unmittelbaren Stadt und damit Peking, Tianjin und Shanghai gleichgestellt --ist mit 33 Millionen Einwohnern das Tor zu den westlichen Landesteilen Chinas. Nur selten kann man hier einen klaren Himmel erkennen, deshalb wird diese Stadt auch Nebelstadt genannt. Die Luftfeuchtigkeit ist hoch, das Klima oft schwül und heiß. Im Sommer erreichen die Temperaturen oft weit über 40° C, dann gibt es auch für alle hitzefrei.
Chongqing zeigt die dramatische Entwicklung der chinesischen Wirtschaft wie keine andere Stadt. Gegründet vor ca. 4.000 Jahren, regierungsunmittelbare Stadt seit 1997, soll sie in 15 Jahren die Wirtschaftskraft Hongkongs erreichen. Etwas im Gegensatz dazu steht der Besuch eines lokalen Fisch- und Fleischmarktes, der nicht ganz unseren Vorstellungen entspricht.
Das Zentrum Chongqings, ein Meer aus Hochhäusern, liegt auf einer Halbinsel an der Mündung des Jialing Jiang in den Jangtse. Den besten Ausblick hat man vom Eling-Berg. Die Stadt verteilt sich über mehrere Hügel, weshalb sie auch Bergstadt genannt wird. Die kleine Insel im Jangtse diente im Krieg gegen Japan als Landebahn für die Nachschubbasis der Amerikaner zur Unterstützung der Nationalchinesen. Mittels dieser Unterstützung konnte die Straße nach Burma wieder freigekämpft werden. Das Stilwell-Museum, zu Ehren des amerikanischen Generals, erinnert daran.
Chongqing ist Zentrum der Metallverarbeitung und Autoindustrie, aber auch Erdöl und Gas tragen zum Wirtschaftsaufschwung bei. Chongqing ist mit 90 Universitäten auch eine der bedeutenden Bildungsstätten Chinas.
Aufgrund des hügeligen Geländes sieht man in Chongqing nur wenige Fahrräder, dafür aber viele Träger mit Schulterstangen, die wesentlich dazu beitragen, den Autoverkehr in Grenzen zu halten.
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World War II Commemorations held at Fuxin mass grave memorial
Hundreds of people have paid tribute to the war-dead buried in northeast China's Fuxin city, on the 70th anniversary of Japan's surrender in world war two. Fuxin is the site of a mass grave, which lays to rest tens of thousands of locals who were forced to work in mines by the Japanese army during their occupation of China. Many died as a result of poor safety and backbreaking labour. CCTV's Guan Yang reports.
Chinese anti-Japanese war exhibition
To celebrate the victory of World War II, a museum in north China's Tianjin has held an exhibition showing the contribution of China as Asia's main battlefield in the war.
Memorial service held in E China for Russian WWII aces
A memorial service for a Soviet air squadron that helped to defend China against Japan during World War II was held in east China's city of Nanjing on Tuesday. The squadron was the first international force to come to China's defense in 1937.
1941 Aerial Bombing of Chongqing
Reel #: 445
1941: POV AERIAL BOMBING OF CHONGQING. / WAR,
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A look at the Americans who helped China’s WWII air force
During World War II, 100 American pilots and 200 American technicians were recruited as volunteers for the Chinese Air Force. Their mission was to help defeat the Japanese. They were dubbed The Flying Tigers. Watch the video for a look back at their indelible achievements during the WWII.
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General Joseph Stilwell Museum - Chongqing
Another interesting place to visit in Chongqing is the General Joseph Stilwell Museum. The museum was once the residence for General Stilwell and headquarters for the allied forces during WW2 - China Theater of Operations.
The perfectly preserved headquarters on the first floor contains mahogany furniture, wall maps and objects of that era such as an old record player and typewriter. One can imagine that General Stilwell and his staff felt quite comfortable in such nice surroundings.
Close by is the Flying Tigers museum. Although this place is very informative, it is partially ruined by an overpriced art gallery at the rear of the museum.
By David Goorney