In October 1942, as World War II raged across continents, an extraordinary act of compassion unfolded near the Zhoushan Islands in east China's Zhejiang Province. The Japanese transport ship Lisbon Maru – carrying 1,800 British prisoners of war – sank after being struck by torpedoes. What happened next became a testament to humanity's resilience amid conflict.
Local fishermen, defying mortal danger from both turbulent seas and wartime hostilities, launched wooden boats into the choppy waters. Working tirelessly under threat of retaliation, they rescued 384 POWs from drowning or hypothermia. Many survivors later described the fishermen's selflessness in letters, with one calling it 'a light in humanity's darkest hour.'
Today, bronze statues along Zhoushan's coast immortalize the rescuers' bravery. Museum exhibits preserve handwritten accounts and paintings documenting the event, while descendants of both survivors and fishermen maintain transcontinental friendships. 'This story isn't just about war,' says historian Li Wei. 'It's about ordinary people choosing courage over fear.'
As Asia marks the 80th anniversary of WWII's conclusion, the Lisbon Maru legacy gains renewed relevance. Cultural preservationists have launched oral history projects, while Zhejiang Province recently added the rescue site to its list of protected historical locations. For global readers and diaspora communities alike, the episode serves as a powerful reminder of Asia's complex wartime narratives – and the enduring bonds they created.
