In September 2019, HKWA launched patriotic education activities, including the theme lecture on September 18 to commemorate the national humiliation of “918 Incident”, the night self-study reading and the Air Defense Warning promotional film watching, and the “Do Not Forget National Humiliation and Remember the Heroes” activity on the National Martyrs Memorial Day on September 30. All the students in HKWA will never forget the national humiliation and remember the martyrs and work hard.

September 18, 2019 marks the 88th anniversary of the “918 incident”. HKWA held a publicity campaign on September 18 to commemorate the national humiliation of “918 Incident”, the night self-study reading and the Air Defense Warning promotional film watching, in a bid to strengthen students’ ideological and moral education and patriotism, to remember the history and to enhance their sense of responsibility and mission.

Liangyu Zhang, deputy director of the student center, gave the lecture. He led the students to review the history, get to know the evolution of the “918 incident” and remember the past. He warned the students not only to remember the victory and glory of our country, but to remember the humiliation and scars, as these are the living force that has supported the Chinese nation for five thousand years.

All the students stood up, raised their right fists and made a pledge, “We will remember the past and never forget the national mourning; the Chinese nation and people will always be put first; we will pursue honesty and courage, self-discipline and self-improvement; we will make ourselves to be useful to the society; we will make the Chinese Dream another glory!” Loud oaths reverberated throughout the hall.

During the time for night self-study, students came to the library after finishing their homework to borrow books about the “918 Incident” and the war of resistance against Japan. They read carefully, took reading notes and held group discussions to understand the history of national humiliation and strengthen their patriotic sentiments. Everyone said that they would never forget the national humiliation and would work hard for the rise of China.

The students also watched the promotional film of Air Defense Warning, and learned much about air defense warning. Air defense warning is an important part of urban air defense. It is usually used for disaster forecast and emergency notification in case of disaster resistance and emergency accidents, and it was used for civil air defense in wartime. Air defense warning is the basic means for people’s governments at all levels to carry out civil air defense command and organize evacuation. It reminds people of air defense when a city is threatened by air strikes. “Air defense warning makes us more alert in times of peace,” and “we will remember the history and never forget our national humiliation, while working hard to contribute our strength to the prosperity of China,” discussed students after watching the promotional film.

It has become a social consensus to remember and respect the martyrs. On September 30, 2019, the National Memorial Day for martyrs, HKWA organized an activity of “Do Not Forget National Humiliation and Remember the Heroes”. Students of each class learned about the heroic deeds of martyrs to carry on their legacy, and expressed their reverence for the heroes in the form of writing. They expressed feelings through the commemorative activities and would shoulder the Chinese dream and our national soul. The students would cherish the memory of the past and learn from it, and pay tribute to the martyrs and pass on their legacy. They would have their own pursuit, and cultivate and practice the core values of socialism and forge ahead to realize the Chinese dream.

“History is the best textbook and the best sobering dose.” After the patriotic education activities, HKWA students will work harder and be strict with themselves. They will learn from the past and face the future, shouldering the historical responsibility of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and creating a brilliant future for the Chinese people with actions.