Chongqing, June 3 (Xinhua) — The Chongqing Municipal Archives Bureau and the Chongqing Municipal Archives jointly released the first batch of the “Chongqing Archives and Documents Heritage List” on June 3. Fourteen precious archival documents, including the “Archives of the Victory Monument of the War of Resistance and the People’s Liberation Monument” and the “Archives of the Chongqing Bombing,” were selected.

A relevant official from the Chongqing Municipal Archives stated that the first batch of selected archival heritage covers multiple fields such as economy, culture, history, and urban development. The content is rich and highly representative, including various media such as paper, audio-visual materials, and stone inscriptions. The submitting units involve archives, museums, universities, as well as industry units and enterprises in finance, transportation, and other sectors.

The selection was primarily based on five core criteria: First, high value, requiring that the archives reflect important historical facts or major events in Chongqing, or have distinct regional or ethnic characteristics; second, unique form and style, reflecting lost or endangered writing techniques and media, or having unique academic significance; third, systematic and complete, capable of fully reflecting a certain thematic content; fourth, rarity, requiring that the archives be unique or particularly scarce copies; fifth, temporality, generally requiring a formation period of no less than 50 years.

For example, the “Archives of the Chongqing Bombing,” totaling 126 items, consist of original records formed by local military and government departments in Chongqing and the bombed victims from 1938 to 1943. These records document the number of Japanese aircraft sorties, bombing times, bombing processes, casualties, and damaged buildings and property during the bombing. They are ironclad evidence exposing the Japanese militarist aggression against China and the massacre of the Chinese people.

Another example is the “Archives of the Victory Monument of the War of Resistance and the People’s Liberation Monument,” formed from 1939 to 2013, totaling 269 items. These mainly include records of the construction of the “Spiritual Fortress,” design manuscripts of the Victory Monument of the War of Resistance, and the monument name personally inscribed by Liu Bocheng. These archives document the planning and construction process and reflect the construction situation in relevant historical periods, involving drawings, inscriptions, documents, and photos. They are important historical materials witnessing the historical significance of the landmark “Liberation Monument.”

In the next step, the Chongqing Municipal Archives Bureau will regularly carry out the selection work of municipal-level archival documents and heritage, continuously enrich the list database, and deeply explore the contemporary significance and value of archival documents through exhibitions, special lectures, compilation, research, and publication.

Victory Monument of the War of Resistance

The Victory Monument of the War of Resistance is a commemorative structure in China dedicated to the victory over Japan in the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945). It honors the sacrifices and contributions of Chinese soldiers and civilians during the conflict. The monument serves as a symbol of national resilience and remembrance of the war’s end in 1945.

People’s Liberation Monument

The People’s Liberation Monument, located in the heart of Chongqing, China, was originally built in 1947 to commemorate China’s victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan. After the Chinese Civil War, it was renamed in 1950 to honor the People’s Liberation Army and the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. Today, it stands as a historic landmark and a bustling commercial center, symbolizing the city’s wartime resilience and revolutionary heritage.

Archives of the Chongqing Bombing

The Archives of the Chongqing Bombing preserve records and accounts of the sustained aerial bombardment of Chongqing by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force from 1938 to 1943 during the Second Sino-Japanese War. This devastating campaign aimed to break Chinese morale but instead forged a spirit of resilience among the city’s defenders and civilians. Today, the archives serve as a crucial historical resource, documenting the human cost and wartime experiences of one of the most intense bombing campaigns in history.

Spiritual Fortress

The Spiritual Fortress is a metaphorical or literal site representing a place of inner strength, meditation, or religious refuge, often associated with ancient monasteries or fortified temples that provided both physical and spiritual protection. Historically, such fortresses were built in remote locations to safeguard sacred relics and offer solitude for monks, particularly during periods of conflict or persecution. They symbolize the enduring human quest for peace and resilience against external turmoil.

Liberation Monument

The Liberation Monument is a prominent war memorial located in Pyongyang, North Korea, erected in 1947 to honor the Soviet soldiers who fought and died during the 1945 liberation of Korea from Japanese colonial rule at the end of World War II. Designed by Soviet architects, the granite and bronze monument stands as a symbol of the historic alliance between North Korea and the Soviet Union. It remains a significant site for commemorative ceremonies and a key landmark in the city’s landscape.