On 23 May 2025, Minister Wang Qi of the Chinese Embassy in the UK met with representatives of the Lisbon Maru families who had just returned from China after attending the unveiling ceremony of the Memorial for Dongji Fishermen’s Rescue of British Prisoners of War. The representatives shared with Minister Wang their reflections on the ceremony and impressions of the visit.

Minister Wang noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Against this important historical backdrop, the unveiling of the memorial—commemorating the rescue of British POWs during the 1942 Lisbon Maru incident in Zhoushan, Zhejiang—carries special significance. He expressed hope that the special friendship forged between the Chinese and British peoples during the war will continue to be cherished and passed on, and that the family representatives will play an active role in advancing people-to-people ties between the two countries.

The family members thanked the Chinese side for organising the commemorative event. They said that having the opportunity to pay tribute to their ancestors on Dongji Island and to personally thank the descendants of those brave Zhoushan fishermen was an unforgettable experience. They pledged to keep alive the precious memory of this heroic rescue and the bonds of friendship it represents for future generations.