After the outbreak of the full-scale War of Resistance in 1937, major coastal ports of China fell one after another. The Burma Road, opened in 1938, became the only international channel connecting China with the outside world at that time. A group of overseas Chinese children gave up their comfortable lives and stable jobs, some even disguising themselves as men to rush to the front lines of the war against Japan. They used their lives to maintain this 1,146-kilometer-long “lifeline of transportation” for the motherland. Yao Liyun, granddaughter of Yao Xiangkui, a fifth batch of Nanyang Mechanic, said that on narrow sections of the Burma Road, the mechanics once “used their bodies to bridge the road” just to allow trucks to pass smoothly. The mountains and rivers know them, history remembers them!

Burma Road

The Burma Road was a vital military supply route constructed during World War II, linking Lashio in Burma (now Myanmar) to Kunming in China. It was built between 1937 and 1938 to allow the Allies to transport supplies to the Chinese government, which was resisting Japanese invasion. This strategically crucial road played a major role in keeping China supplied throughout the conflict.

War of Resistance

The War of Resistance, known in China as the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945), was a major military conflict fought between China and the Empire of Japan. It began with the Marco Polo Bridge Incident and merged with the broader theater of World War II, resulting in immense Chinese casualties and widespread devastation. The conflict is a foundational element of modern Chinese historical identity, symbolizing national resilience and sacrifice.

Nanyang Mechanic

I am not familiar with a specific cultural or historical site named “Nanyang Mechanic.” It is possible this refers to a local business, a modern institution, or there may be a confusion with the name. For an accurate summary, please verify the correct name or provide more context.