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There was an influx of refugees from mainland China and Hong Kong into Macao (Macau), an “oasis” that stood neutral during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the Pacific War. The surge in population overwhelmed this small city, creating a deformed phenomenon against this backdrop: while the rich took shelter in Macao’s grand hotels and led a luxurious life, the poor struggled to survive and many even died of starvation. This is echoing the scene described in an ancient Chinese poem by Du Fu (杜甫), “The houses of the rich reek with meat and wine, while on the streets are bones of the frozen dead.”
To relieve the large number of refugees, the Portuguese Macao government rationed food, fuel, and power to ensure supply. In addition, government departments, churches, and charities started giving out food to those in need. During this period, a number of schools moved to Macao from mainland China, some of which are still operating in Macao today.

How was the life of civilians in Macao during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression?

See answer below.

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The Japanese seized Guangzhou (廣州, left) in 1938 and Hong Kong (right) in 1941. Seeing neighbouring areas fell one after another, people from mainland China and Hong Kong swarmed the war-free Macao who declared neutral.

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Tung Sin Tong Charitable Society, a charity in Macao, is located in Rua de Camilo Pessanha. Established in 1892, it provided relief to refugees in World War II.

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Another charity Yee Hing Tong was established in 1942. It gave out congee to refugees on a daily basis. (Provided by Macao Kiang Wu Hospital Charitable Association, cited from “Macau Memory”, Macao Foundation)

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Refugees received congee from Yee Hing Tong’s soup kitchen in Kiang Wu Hospital. The soup kitchen opened at 9:30 am and the heads of the Yee Hing Tong and Kiang Wu Hospital supervised its operation in person every day. (Provided by Macao Kiang Wu Hospital Charitable Association, cited from “Macau Memory”, Macao Foundation)

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                                                               A Vakio Daily report on 28 December 1942 on the rocketing rice price.

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For a long time, Macao relied on the mainland for food supply. However, the food supply was in crisis when Guangdong Province (廣東) and Hong Kong fell successively. The influx of refugees to Macao even turned the crisis into food shortage from January 1942, during which roughly 1,500 people died from starvation each month. The Portuguese Macao government thus imposed rationing of staple food, fuels, and other necessities, and delegated the tasks of purchasing, allocation, and administration of key resources to the Import Planning Board.

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The Portuguese Macao government rationed food in the times of food shortage, during which people obtained food using ration stamps as shown in the photo. (Collected by Mr. Shum Wai-lun, provided by Macao Carpentry Trade Union, cited from “Macau Memory”, Macao Foundation)

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The 13th executive meeting’s minute (a right-to-left, top-to-bottom script) of the standing committee of Kiang Wu Hospital on 30 April 1943. The meeting discussed affairs concerning the hospitalisation of displaced children. (Provided by Kiang Wu Hospital Charitable Association, cited from “Macau Memory”, Macao Foundation)

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A large number of displaced children arrived in Macao during the War of Resistance. Kiang Wu Hospital set up a care centre for them. (Provided by Kiang Wu Hospital Charitable Association, cited from “Macau Memory”, Macao Foundation)

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The Villa Leitão on Guia Hill was a Macanese family’s manor. It was abandoned for some time until 1938 when Zhixin High School (執信中學) from Guangzhou (廣州) made it its temporary teaching location.

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Many schools in Guangdong moved to Macao when the War of Resistance broke out. Together with the inflow of many senior educators and intellectuals, resulting in a brief education boom in Macao. The Portuguese Macao government thus gave several abandoned buildings a facelift to accommodate these schools. While some schools relocated to mainland China when war ended, some, including Pui Ching Middle School Macau, Guang Da Middle School, Macao (Escola Kwong Tai Macau), and Lingnan Middle School (Escola Ling Nam) stayed in Macao.

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Lingnan Middle School was formerly known as Guangzhou Tongzhi Primary School (廣州通志小學). It moved to Macao in 1937 and has been housed by Vila Alegre since 1938. (Photo taken and provided by Mr. Chan Hin-io, cited from “Macau Memory”, Macao Foundation)

How was the life of civilians in Macao during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression?

The Portuguese Macao government imposed food rationing during food shortage. People could only obtain food by using ration stamps. For those seeking shelter in Macao, the government built refugee centres in Toi San and Ilha Verde. Churches, the Macau Holy House of Mercy, King Wu Hospital, Tung Sin Tong Charitable Society, and other groups also provided relief to those affected. Despite these efforts, death from starvation and rumours of cannibalism still prevailed. Fuel was also in short supply, forcing the government to restrict power use in factories, entertainment venues, and households.

Photo courtesy of Mr. Alex Lou, Vice Chairman of The Heritage Society (pictures 5 and 9), Macao Foundation (pictures 3, 4, 6-8, and 10), Fotoe (pictures 1 and 2).