By Karen Bong
KUCHING, May 14: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng today paid tribute to the bravery and iron will of Chinese Sarawakians who served as Nanyang Volunteer Drivers and Mechanics during China’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in 1939.
He described them as not only the pride of Sarawak but also living witnesses to the enduring spiritual bond and shared destiny between the peoples of China and Malaysia.
Delivering his speech during the unveiling of the Red Ribbon Memorial Pavilion at the Malaysia-China Friendship Park in Jalan Song, Wee said the monument honours the heroic legacy of the Nanyang Volunteers — many of whom were young Chinese from Southeast Asia, including Sarawak, who risked their lives to transport critical supplies along the perilous Yunnan-Burma Road.
“These volunteers left their homeland in Southeast Asia to brave enemy bombings and unforgiving terrain in southwest China. Their selfless courage is etched into history and deserves our deepest reverence.
“We gather today not just to remember a chapter in history, but to honour a powerful legacy of unity, patriotic spirit of the Chinese community, and sacrifice. This pavilion is more than a structure — it is a lasting symbol of the deep-rooted friendship between China and Malaysia, and the unwavering courage of Sarawak’s young Chinese,” he added.
Wee noted that many Sarawakian youths joined the Nanyang Volunteer effort, exemplifying extraordinary resolve and devotion to a cause far from home.
“Their actions reflected the spirit of ‘when the nation is in peril, every citizen has a duty’,” he said, adding that today’s peace and prosperity were made possible by the sacrifices of generations past.
The Red Ribbon Memorial Pavilion, installed within the multicultural grounds of the Malaysia-China Friendship Park, stands as a beacon to preserve this powerful legacy and inspire future generations.
“The spirit of the Nanyang Volunteers does not belong to the past alone — it belongs to our present and our future. It reminds us that no matter how the winds and storms may change, true friendship is forged through adversity and strengthened over time,” he said.
He extended sincere appreciation to the Yunnan Provincial Government for their presence and contributions, which helped bring the project to fruition.
“Your goodwill and sincerity have allowed us to relive this history and renew the friendship that binds our peoples,” he said.
Wee also called on the public to uphold the legacy of the Nanyang Volunteers — a legacy of resilience, patriotism, and courage that transcends time and borders.
“Let this pavilion serve as a lighthouse for our youth to pursue their dreams with courage and take on responsibilities with heart, just as the Nanyang Volunteers did all those years ago,” he concluded.
The ceremony was graced by Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Secretary of the CPC Yunnan Provincial Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the People’s Congress of Yunnan Province Wang Ning, Deputy Minister for Tourism Datuk Sebastian Ting, and Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching Xing Weiping. — DayakDaily
