On 22 February 2025, the Chinese Embassy in the UK hosted a Spring Festival reception for the families of Lisbon Maru survivors. H.E. Ambassador Zheng Zeguang delivered a speech at the reception. Major (Ret’d) Brian Finch, who over the years has been committed to collecting the historical documents on Lisbon Maru, Mrs Denise Wynne, daughter of Lisbon Maru survivor Dennis Morley, and Mr Anthony Jones, Chairman of the Lisbon Maru Memorial Association, also addressed the event. More than 100 guests participated in the event.
In his remarks, Ambassador Zheng recounted the Lisbon Maru incident, and noted that the heroic rescue by those Zhoushan fishermen of the British POWs bears important witness to China and Britain fighting side by side as allies against fascist aggression, and has left tales of the profound friendship between our two peoples. More and more people are now joining us in keeping this memory alive. The documentary The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru was released in China and received wide accolades. Next month, this film will premiere in the UK. More and more people will remember this touching story.
Ambassador Zheng pointed out that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the Chinese people’s war of resistance against Japanese aggression, the World Anti-Fascist War, and the founding of the United Nations. We are in a new age--an age of turbulence and changes. Some parts of the world are experiencing wars and conflicts. The road to peace and development is still an upward battle.
No matter how the international situation evolves, China will, as always, take the future of mankind and the well-being of the people as a priority, contribute Chinese wisdom and solution to world peace and development, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. China will continue to be a staunch force for peace, stability, and cooperation.
Ambassador Zheng briefed the audience on China’s economic and social development. He noted that under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China has made solid gains in advancing Chinese modernisation.
Last year, China’s economy made steady progress and the GDP grew at an annual rate of 5%. New advancements were made in fostering new quality productive forces. New technologies and new industries have kept emerging. In the new year, China will stay the course of high-quality development and show confidence, resolve and action.
Ambassador Zheng noted that facing a turbulent world, a stable and constructive China-UK relationship is even more important to both countries and the world. In recent months, some important progress has been made in the development of China-UK relations. Both sides should work together to maintain the hard-won positive momentum, follow the principles of mutual respect, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality, and mutual benefit, and earnestly implement the important common understandings reached by the leaders. We need to strengthen dialogue and collaboration across various levels and sectors to unlock the immense potential of mutually beneficial cooperation, and bring tangible benefits to both peoples.
Ambassador Zheng expressed hope that the Lisbon Maru families and people from all walks of life would actively participate in preserving this memory and fostering friendship, building more bridges of friendly exchanges, and contribute to the stable and sustained development of China-UK relations.
During the reception, Mrs Wynne displayed the reply letter she received from President Xi Jinping in 2022 and shared heartfelt memories of her father’s experience in the Lisbon Maru incident. She expressed gratitude to the Zhoushan fishermen who risked their lives to rescue British POWs. Several representatives of the families recounted their relatives’ experiences during the incident and shared their own experiences from their visit to Zhoushan, Zhejiang in 2024. They affirmed their commitment to preserving this invaluable memory and playing a positive role in growing people-to-people bond between the UK and China.
The reception featured captivating performances by artists from China and the UK, as well as diplomats from the Chinese Embassy in the UK. The Embassy Choir performed Edelweiss and Auld Lang Syne, receiving enthusiastic applause and acclaim.
Lisbon Maru families traveled from across the UK to attend the reception, some with their sons and daughters, and even grandsons and granddaughters. In a warm atmosphere, the guests viewed the Embassy’s commemorative photo exhibition on the Lisbon Maru rescue, read books on China and expressed their readiness to help promote UK-China friendship.
