An exhibition on the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War will be held at the Museum of History from tomorrow to December 15. Admission is free.

Jointly presented by the Leisure & Cultural Services Department and the National Museum of China, the “United in Arms, Standing for Peace – 80th Anniversary of Chinese Victory in the War of Resistance Exhibition” features 183 War of Resistance relics, including 82 items from the collection of the National Museum of China.

Around 60 exhibits are on display in Hong Kong for the first time. Among these, eight exhibits are grade one national treasures.

Other exhibits include precious relics on loan from local cultural institutions, museums and private collectors, with these being supplemented by the Museum of History's own collections and other historical photos and footage.

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, officiating at the opening ceremony today, said each artefact, historical image, photograph and document in the exhibition serves as a testimony to the history of the War of Resistance, restoring the historical truth of that period.

He added that the exhibits comprehensively showcase the pivotal role of the Chinese Communist Party during the war and highlight Hong Kong's contributions to the national resistance.

The exhibits also demonstrate the deep bond between the people of Hong Kong and the nation, he said.

The exhibition is divided into seven sections that showcase comprehensively the history of the 14-year arduous resistance against aggression during the War of Resistance.

The precious grade-one national treasures on display include an armband from Peking University's Southbound Protest Group, and a copy of Mao Zedong's “On Protracted War” that is disguised as “Wenshi Tongyi”, or “Comprehensive meaning of literature and historiography”.

The museum has also reconstructed the scene of the “Marco Polo Bridge incident”, in which Japanese forces attacked Chinese troops on July 7, 1937, as well as an internment camp in Hong Kong.

Mr Chan invited members of the public to visit the exhibition and to join hands in commemorating history, cherish the hard-won peace, and work together to create a better future.

Other officiating guests included Secretary General of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Wang Songmiao, Deputy Administrator of the National Cultural Heritage Administration Sun Deli, Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law and Secretary of the CPC Committee of the National Museum of China Yang Fan.