On 24 February, the Chinese Embassy in the UK held a special reception in Gloucester for the families of the Lisbon Maru survivors to commemorate the Lisbon Maru rescue and celebrate the Chinese Lantern Festival and the Chinese New Year.
H.E. Ambassador Zheng Zeguang, Mrs Denise Wynne, daughter of Lisbon Maru survivor Dennis Morley, Mr Wu Buwei, family member of one of the Chinese fishermen from Zhoushan, Zhejiang who participated in the rescue, and Major (Ret’d) Brian Finch, who over the years been committed to collecting the historical documents on Lisbon Maru, delivered remarks.
Over 200 guests from different sectors, including Councillor Kathy Williams, the Right Worshipful Mayor of Gloucester, Councillor Justin Hudson, Sheriff and Deputy Mayor of Gloucester, Ms Chen Yanqin, Deputy Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office of Zhejiang Province, Mr Liu Zhonghua, Deputy Mayor of Zhoushan, representatives of Zhoushan fishermen, and representatives of the families of Lisbon Maru POWs, also attended the event.
In his remarks, Ambassador Zheng recounted the Lisbon Maru rescue. He said that as President Xi Jinping pointed out in his reply letter to Mrs Wynne in 2022, the moving story of the heroic rescue back in 1942 bears important witness to China and Britain fighting side by side as allies during World War II against fascist aggression and has left tales of the profound friendship between the people of the two countries.
History may be in the distant past; but history shall never be forgotten. We must always keep in mind the friendship between the two peoples, treasure the hard-won peace we enjoy today and make joint efforts for a better tomorrow.
Ambassador Zheng introduced China's development achievements, noting that the Chinese people are now marching in confident strides towards the Second Centenary Goal of building a great modern socialist country in all respects.
China has always been a staunch force for peace, stability and development in the world. Facing increasing uncertainties and turbulence, at home, we will stay the course of high-quality development, and advance the building of a strong country and national rejuvenation through the Chinese path to modernisation.
And internationally, we call for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation. We call on all countries to work together to build a community with a shared future.
Ambassador Zheng pointed out that, in the past 52 years since China and the UK established ambassadorial diplomatic relations, the bilateral ties have continued to move forward amid twists and turns, bringing tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries.
Cooperation between China and the UK is beneficial to both countries and to the world. Differences between the two countries should be properly handled on the basis of the principles of mutual respect, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit.
The potentials for China-UK cooperation are far from being fully tapped. Both sides should make joint efforts to enhance dialogue and communication, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and bring more benefits to the people of our two countries.
It is hoped that the families of Lisbon Maru survivors and people from all sectors will respond to President Xi Jinping's call, carry forward the friendship between the Chinese and British people, and actively contribute to the steady development of China-UK relations.
Mr Wu Buwei, representing the families of the Zhoushan fishermen, shared the heroic deeds of his grandfather in rescuing three British POWs, and displayed a precious photograph of his grandfather with the British soldiers from that time.
He called for the family members of the Chinese fishermen and the British POWs to be promoters and guardians of China-UK cooperation, and together preserve this special friendship forged in battlefield.
Mrs Wynne fought back tears while retelling her father's experience in the Lisbon Maru incident, and said that she would always be grateful for the Zhoushan fishermen who risked their own lives to rescue the British soldiers.
Major Finch said that he was pleased to see the growing awareness of the Lisbon Maru rescue and encouraged everyone present to carry forward the memory of the incident and promote the friendship between the two peoples.
The reception featured a variety of cultural activities, including the display of Zhoushan fishermen painting, fishing knots, as well as the making of dumplings and Tangyuan (glutinous rice balls). Artists from Zhoushan performed splendid songs, dances, and operas such as Yuloh Song, the Butterfly Lovers’ 18-li Farewell, Da Lian Xiang, and Flowing Water. Chinese and British singers also performed British songs like Scarborough Fair and Auld Lang Syne together, receiving rounds of applause from the audience.
Families of the Lisbon Maru survivors at the reception came from across the UK, many of whom brought their grandchildren, even great grandchildren with them. The Chinese and British guests engaged in warm exchanges and celebrated the Chinese Lantern Festival and New Year together.
