Collection of 4,000 World War II relics in Kunming

Song Xiangdong and part of his 4,000 World War II relics collection. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

Song Xiangdong, a collector in Kunming, capital of Southwest China's Yunnan province, has spent over a decade visiting witnesses to World War II and looking for battlefield remains to explore the imprint of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937-45) in Yunnan. He walked the Yunnan-Burma Road where the Battle of Yunnan-Burma Road (March- June 1942) took place more than 30 times and has collected more than 4,000 World War II relics.

Song set up a Chinese and US military antiques museum to store and display his collection. He said he doesn't explore World War II and collect relics out of hatred or revenge, but rather to take history as a mirror and look toward the future. "War does people no good, and to maintain peace is foremost", he said.