Don't forget foreign war dead, says Hong Kong historian

Soldiers from Canada, India and other allied countries who gave their lives to defend Hong Kong during the second world war have been largely forgotten by today's Hongkongers, historians said ahead of the celebration as the city prepares to mark the 70th anniversary of its liberation.

Hongkongers will enjoy an extra public holiday next Thursday, in line with the mainland's celebration of the nation's victory over Japan.

Some commemorative events have already been staged by Chinese and British veteran groups this month - when Japan formally announced its surrender following the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

"Those from Canada are to be respected. They did not even die defending their own country. That's why Canada very much wanted this part of history to be remembered in Hong Kong," said Dr Joseph Ting Sun-pao, a retired chief curator of the Hong Kong Museum of History, as he gave a media tour of the Sai Wan war cemetery.

"Two memorials have been erected in Sham Shui Po Park, but they are inconspicuous. I think people would just pass by without noticing them."

The cemetery contains 1,582 second world war graves, including 1,505 for Commonwealth casualties and 77 for other nationalities, mainly Dutch. A large section is for fallen Canadians, who were sent in two military units comprising 1,975 people to defend Hong Kong.