Litigation safeguards war sites and artifacts

Procuratorial authorities across China have used public interest litigation supervision to protect cultural artifacts and historic sites related to the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), providing legal safeguards for the historical imprints of the war, the Supreme People's Procuratorate said on Monday.

From 2023 to June 2025, procuratorial authorities nationwide handled 2,243 public interest litigation cases focused on protecting martyrs, relics and sites related to the war and revolution, Zhang Xueqiao, deputy procurator-general of the SPP, told a news conference on Monday. Of those, 83 cases were linked to the war itself, with efforts primarily aimed at protecting the reputations and honor of 49 renowned heroes and groups that took part in the conflict.

Zhang noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of China's victory over the Japanese forces.

"The procuratorial authorities' efforts to systematically protect the historic and cultural resources related to the war are crucial for promoting remembrance of this history and preserving its spirit within society," he said.

The cases have led to the restoration of memorial sites and artifacts that belonged to martyrs, as well as the classification and protection of battle sites and other relics from that period, said Xu Xiangchun, director of the SPP's public interest litigation procuratorate office.

Eleven cases from across the country that comprehensively reflect efforts to preserve the war's history were unveiled.

One case took place in Suide, Shaanxi province, where the former site of the Red Army's Eastern Expedition Command is located. The site's cave dwellings had collapsed and deteriorated, with little progress on restoration following a procuratorial recommendation in March 2023.

In August 2023, the county procuratorate filed an administrative public interest lawsuit to compel authorities to fulfill their supervisory and management duties. The action led to the site's restoration and the creation of an exhibition. The location has since become both a tourist attraction and an educational venue, drawing 6,000 visitors annually.

"Protecting these historical sites in accordance with the law also coordinates the preservation of the war's spirit and socioeconomic development," Zhang said.

The history preserved through these cases highlights not only the armed forces led by the Communist Party of China, but also the Kuomintang's frontline efforts, the participation of the entire nation in the resistance and international assistance, Xu said.

In Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, the Putuo district procuratorate identified a cave on Dongji's Qingbang island as a significant wartime site. The cave is near the location where the Lisbon Maru, a Japanese freighter transporting British prisoners of war during World War II, sank. It served as a refuge for three British POWs who evaded capture by Japanese forces.

"At the time of investigation, the cave had not been included on the list of cultural artifacts, and there were risks of damage and loss to its original site and appearance," said Lu Honghui, prosecutor-general of the district procuratorate.

After a thorough evaluation, the cave was designated in July as a historical site and memorial for the Lisbon Maru sinking and the subsequent rescue of the POWs by Dongji island fishermen.