In the frozen fields of Heilongjiang Province, a single gunshot in November 1931 marked the beginning of China's organized armed resistance against Japanese aggression. General Ma Zhanshan's troops defied overwhelming odds at Jiangqiao in Tailai County, delivering a strategic blow to Japan's Kwantung Army and inspiring nationwide defiance.
The battle's legacy lives through villagers like Zhang Shuming, who safeguards wartime artifacts – yellowed newspapers announcing the victory, rusted battlefield fragments, and soldiers' personal effects. "These objects carry the weight of history," Zhang told KhabarAsia, emphasizing their role in preserving collective memory.
Historians note the Jiangqiao engagement's psychological impact, disproving Japan's narrative of military invincibility during early occupation attempts. Today, the site attracts researchers and descendants of veterans seeking connections to this pivotal moment in Asia's WWII history.
As China commemorates wartime sacrifices, grassroots preservation efforts highlight the enduring relevance of historical awareness. Local schools now incorporate Jiangqiao's story into curricula, ensuring new generations understand the human cost of defending national sovereignty.
