The Total War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression prompted the establishment of disaster-relief groups by different sectors in Macao (Macau) in support of mainland China, including Macao Four Professions’ Disaster Relief Society, Macao Overseas Chinese Charitable Society for Disaster Relief, and Macao Female Entertainers’ Disaster Relief Society. Apart from donations, there were awareness campaigns consisting of drama, exhibitions, and songs held by the Chinese Educators Association of Macau, Macao China Women Support Association, Qianfeng Drama Club (前鋒劇社), and Youth Outreach (Macau). The obstruction from the Portuguese Macao government and pro-Japan factions, however, was unable to stop the Macao people from saving their homeland.
Apart from participating in local national salvation movements, the Macao people also went to mainland China where they formed associations such as Macao China Youth Corps and the mainland China unit of Macao Four Professions’ Disaster Relief Society to assist war propaganda, logistics, and disaster relief. Some even joined guerrillas and sacrificed their lives in defence of the nation.

A group photo of members of the Macao China Women Support Association and Shi Liang (史良, the third from the right in the front) after her pep talk in December 1937.

A group photo of the faculty and first cohort of graduates of the Macao China Youth Corps in 1938. The organisation, founded by Ke Lin (柯麟), trained medics to work in Chinese war zones. (Provided by Kiang Wu Hospital Charitable Association, cited from “Macau Memory”, Macao Foundation)

Left: the preface of a memorial journal for the first cohort of graduates of the Macao China Youth Corps (online source). Right: Liang Yanming (梁彥明), who penned the journal’s preface. (Provided by Kiang Wu Hospital Charitable Association, cited from “Macau Memory”, Macao Foundation)

Left: the poster of the Macao Four Professions’ Disaster Relief Society charity concert. Right: reports on the Society’s service in China.

A group photo of the 6th and 7th aid groups before setting off for the mainland.

The Macao China Women Support Association invited the Xingzhonghua Troupe (興中華劇團) to perform at the Cheng Peng Theatre in August 1938. Revenue from the show was donated to the war effort.

               A photo taken on a fundraising event in Macao at the second anniversary of the Battle of Shanghai in 1939.

An award presentation ceremony of a charity sale of flowers held by the Macao Women’s Association for Kiang Wu Hospital in 1941. (Provided by Kiang Wu Hospital Charitable Association, cited from “Macau Memory”, Macao Foundation)

A joint charity show by the Macao Field Reporters Club, with artists from the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong (also known as Barwo) in Macao, Yingming Company (英明公司), and Teatro Capitol to raise fund for Kiang Wu Hospital in 1942. The photo shows the ticket to the charity show. Kiang Wu Hospital contributed a lot to the relief of refugees and the support for the War of Resistance. (Provided by Kiang Wu Hospital Charitable Association, cited from “Macau Memory”, Macao Foundation)

Gao Jianfu (高劍父), a painter of Lingnan School (嶺南派), had deep ties with Macao. Some of his paintings reflected the War of Resistance, such as The Flames of the Eastern Battlefield (left), which depicted the January 28th Incident. It was displayed in an exhibition held by Macao Chamber of Commerce in 1939. On the right is Pou Chai Temple, where Gao stayed for some time during the War of Resistance.

Photo courtesy of Mr. Alex Lou, Vice Chairman of The Heritage Society (picture 6), Macao Foundation (pictures 2, 3, 8, and 9), Fotoe (pictures 5 and 10), and misc. photo sources.