Feature: 89-year-old overseas Chinese in Peru recalls anti-Japanese efforts

During the hard days when China fought against Japanese invasion between 1937 and 1945, the Chinese community in Peru provided great financial support for its motherland.

Teresa Joo de Siu, an 89-year-old overseas Chinese living in Peru, recalled the history, saying contributions by overseas Chinese to the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression should be honored and remembered.

"During the eight-year anti-Japanese war, efforts made by Chinese in Peru were exemplary. Motivated by their patriotic spirit, they used various methods to raise 1 million U.S. dollars to help fight against Japanese aggression," said Joo.

Showing her old photographs with classmates at a Chinese school, Joo said, "We were all united to help resist Japanese aggressors."

"All of my classmates have passed away. Every time I recall the past, I feel deeply moved," said Joo with tears running down her cheeks.

Joo was born in 1926 in the Peruvian capital of Lima. Her parents immigrated there from China's Guangdong Province at the turn of the 20th century.

For many years, Joo was the general manager of the Peru-China Chamber of Commerce and traveled to China twice a year.

In 1937 when the news came to Peru that Japan waged a full-scale war against China, Chinese in the western South American nation were greatly shocked.

Joo, who was only 11 years old then, did not have a clear understanding about her motherland, a country far way across the Pacific Ocean.

However, Chinese teachers and pupils like her were suddenly inspired, singing patriotic songs and staging anti-Japanese dramas. They also helped organize charity events and sold Chinese flags and flowers.

"We were all devoted to helping resist Japanese invasion. We clearly knew that we could not lose the war. Otherwise we would become colonial slaves," said Joo.

At that time, Chinese businessmen in Peru set up a foundation to raise funds. Though many Chinese were not well-off, the amount of donations reached 1 million U.S. dollars within a year.

"Men worked overtime in order to donate their extra income, while many women began selling Chinese food to get more money," added Joo.

Their efforts were greatly praised by their motherland, and Zhou Enlai, renowned late leader of the Communist Party of China, personally wrote a message to honor their contributions at the time.

"Six thousand compatriots in Peru raised 2 million Peruvian soles (1 million U.S. dollars). They set a great example for overseas Chinese and should be glorified in the war against Japanese aggression," Zhou wrote.

Joo said all Chinese in Peru were very excited when Japan surrendered in August 1945. They poured into streets, informing each other of the good news and celebrating the great victory.

Seventy years on, their anti-Japanese efforts have been largely forgotten. Joo hoped on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War that young Chinese people could remember history and always love their motherland and its people. Endi