Nanyang Overseas Chinese Jigong Anti-Japanese Monument in Kunming
Nanyang Overseas Chinese Jigong Anti-Japanese Monument (南洋华侨机工回国抗日纪念碑) is situated in Xishan Park (西山公园) in Kunming (昆明), Yunnan Province (云南省). Erected in 1989, this memorial stands 9 meters tall with a 3-meter pedestal. It commemorates the contributions of overseas Chinese workers during the anti-Japanese efforts in World War II.
During the war, over 3,200 young Chinese workers from Malaysia (马来西亚), Singapore (新加坡), and other regions formed the “Nanyang Overseas Chinese Workers Returning to Fight” service team to support their homeland. They played a crucial role in transporting military supplies and maintaining vehicles along the Burma Road (滇缅公路), significantly aiding the war effort. Tragically, more than 1,000 overseas Chinese lost their lives in this struggle. The inscription on the monument reads:
“Over three thousand overseas Chinese workers, with their lives, blood, and sweat, wrote a magnificent chapter in the history of overseas Chinese patriotism. They established an indelible achievement in the history of the Chinese Anti-Japanese War and the global anti-fascist war.”
Construction History
The events leading up to the monument’s creation began after the “July 7 Incident” (七·七事变) at the Marco Polo Bridge in 1937, which marked the start of Japan’s full-scale invasion of China. This invasion galvanized the nation, prompting a wave of solidarity among the Chinese people. Overseas Chinese also united against the aggressor, driven by patriotism and a desire for justice.
In 1939, under the leadership of Tan Kah Kee (陈嘉庚), the chairman of the Overseas Chinese Relief Association, many overseas Chinese responded to his call and returned to China to fight against the Japanese invaders. More than 3,000 dedicated overseas Chinese workers left their families behind and returned to their homeland, forming the “Nanyang Overseas Chinese Workers Team.” They committed themselves to the critical work of resisting Japanese aggression.
At that time, all coastal ports in China had been captured, and the war was at its most challenging phase. Yunnan served as a vital strategic base, acting as both a rear area and a frontline for the war. The only remaining international transportation route, the Burma Road, relied on the support of the world and overseas Chinese. Despite personal dangers, the workers transported military supplies day and night, assembled and repaired vehicles, and trained drivers and mechanics. Unfortunately, during this period, over 1,000 overseas Chinese lost their lives due to battles, accidents, and diseases.
Reasons for Construction
The monument was erected to honor the significant contributions made by the overseas Chinese workers who returned to fight in the Chinese Anti-Japanese War and the global anti-fascist war. The Yunnan Provincial People’s Government established the monument in May 1989 to ensure that future generations would remember and pay tribute to their sacrifices.
Main Exhibits
The monument is crafted from Han white jade (汉白玉), with the golden characters “Nanyang Overseas Chinese Workers Anti-Japanese Monument” prominently displayed. The base, made of ink stone (墨石) and Han white jade, is inscribed with the four characters “Chizi Gongxun” (赤子功勋). The upper front of the monument features an honor badge for the Nanyang Overseas Chinese Workers Returning to Fight, with four horizontal lines and four ink stone bases symbolizing the unity of 400 million compatriots in the anti-Japanese struggle.
The monument’s steps are seven levels high, commemorating July 7. Flanking the sides are two flags, with three “July 7” commemorative badges representing the dedication of the more than 3,000 overseas Chinese workers. The overall height of the monument is 9 meters, with a 3-meter pedestal, symbolizing the victory of September 3.
Next to the monument, there is a display room detailing the achievements of the Nanyang Overseas Chinese Workers during the anti-Japanese war. Each year, on the anniversary, visitors from home and abroad, including students and community members, come to pay their respects. The inscription on the monument serves as a powerful summary of the heroic efforts of the overseas Chinese workers:
“Over three thousand overseas Chinese workers, with their lives, blood, and sweat, wrote a magnificent chapter in the history of overseas Chinese patriotism. They established an indelible achievement in the history of the Chinese Anti-Japanese War and the global anti-fascist war.”
In 2005, another monument of the same name was constructed in the Wanding Economic Development Zone (畹町经济开发区) of Ruili City (瑞丽市), Yunnan Province. This monument stands 16 meters tall and features four golden horizontal bands at the top, representing 400 million compatriots during the war. The honor badge of the Nanyang workers is embedded within, symbolizing the united resistance of compatriots from both home and abroad. The three-tiered black base, measuring 6 meters wide and 3 meters high, signifies the victory of September 3.
Behind the monument is a long corridor of relief sculptures that depict the contributions of the Nanyang Overseas Chinese Workers during the war. The right side features the monument’s inscription, while the central reliefs illustrate the following themes: The Call to Arms, The Farewell, The Road Construction, The Iron Flow, The Fire Challenge, and The Victory. On the left side is a list of distinguished names of the Nanyang Overseas Chinese Workers. Below the reliefs is “Hundred Sparrows Painting” (百雀图), symbolizing the beautiful peacock homeland of Dehong (德宏). The six pillars at the front of the relief corridor represent the 60th anniversary of the victory of the anti-Japanese war.
All materials used for the construction and sculpture of the monument are sourced from world-renowned Fujian granite (福建花岗岩). The imposing red structure rises toward the sky, symbolizing the Chinese nation’s triumph over darkness and its journey toward enlightenment.
