China News Agency, Beijing, July 7th: "July 7 Incident" 85th Anniversary Nanqiao Mechanic's Descendants Talk about Serve the History of the Country with Blood

  China News Agency reporter Xu Wenxin

  85 years ago today, the sound of gunfire broke the tranquility of Wanping City and awakened the Chinese nation's will to fight against aggression.

Two years later, a large number of overseas Chinese in Nanyang responded to the "Announcement No. 6 of the Nanyang Association of Overseas Chinese" issued by the patriotic overseas Chinese leader Tan Kah Kee, and returned to China to take up the task of anti-Japanese military transportation on the Yunnan-Myanmar Highway. Mission", referred to as Nanqiao Mechanics.

  On the 85th anniversary of the "July 7 Incident", Chen Daya, daughter of Nanqiao mechanic Chen Zhaozao, shared her father's story.

  "I met my father through the archives. Before his death, we didn't have any communication. Because of studying history, his story has penetrated into my life. My relationship with him is very sensitive. He used to be very small in my heart, but when I look at When it comes to his story, I am proud of him again. He once said to my eldest sister that he only has a country in his heart and no home, which is indeed the case."

  According to Chen Daya, the recruitment age for Nanqiao mechanic is between 20 and 40 years old. Chen Zhaozao was already 39 years old at the time. Because he was worried about losing the election, he changed the age to 34 years old.

"Before returning to China, he told my eldest sister in Singapore that he was going to drive, and then he bought a ferry ticket and sent the eldest sister to her hometown from Singapore alone. Years later, when I found the eldest sister, I learned about this history, and the two hug and cry."

  "Later, I began to study the story of the Nanqiao mechanic, and I re-traveled the Yunnan-Burma Highway with sympathy and self-blame. At that time, I hoped that I would not only record the deeds of this group, but also find the stories of each of them. story," she said.

  After the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, most of the channels between China and the international community were blocked by the Japanese army, and the overseas aid materials could not be transported back to China. The Burma Highway became the "lifeline of the Anti-Japanese War".

  "This 'lifeline' is bombed by enemy planes, and below is a difficult and dangerous road. Nearly 1,800 Nanqiao mechanics gave their lives here. When I read the correspondence of Nanqiao mechanics, I found that they had prepared well when they returned to China. In preparation for sacrifice, every Nanqiao mechanic is born to die, and in today's words, they are 'the most beautiful retrogrades'."

  Chen Daya introduced that when Nanqiao mechanic returned to China, he not only brought back manpower, but also brought back the car inspection technology at that time - non-destructive inspection, which was used to detect the "fatigue scars" on the "deadly" parts of the car that are difficult to detect with the naked eye.

  "At the moment, the imprints left by Nanqiao mechanics are gradually being washed away by time, but their spirit is worth remembering. No matter where they are, they can't let go of their homesickness, never forget their motherland, and put their national interests first. That's why, I have been engaged in the propaganda work of Nanqiao mechanic over the years, I founded the Yunnan-Myanmar Highway Experience Center, and I also created some literary and artistic works, I hope these stories can be circulated for a longer time.”

  On the first anniversary of the Anti-Japanese War, Chen Daya's "Ode to Nanqiao" premiered, and then she took the team to perform overseas many times.

"After our performance in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the local Chinese newspaper wrote a report on "Singing Brings Heroes Home". Indeed, almost all of these overseas Chinese who returned to China to participate in the Anti-Japanese War never returned to the place where they lived. I hope my singing can help Get them back home overseas."

  "Every Nanqiao mechanic has a historical story. In the future, I hope to collect the stories of every Nanqiao mechanic. If I can accomplish such a thing, I think it will be a consolation." Chen Daya said.

(Finish)