The Soldiers and Civilians Friendship Pool

The Soldiers and Civilians Friendship Pool

The Soldiers and Civilians Friendship Pool is a cultural heritage site protected by Dongtou County.

The Soldiers and Civilians Friendship Pool is located in Tongqiao Village, Beiao Town, Dongtou County. Constructed from block stones, it is semi-circular in shape, stretching 32 meters in length, with a bottom paved with small stones. An exit is built on the eastern side, leading down via five steps, and a stone stele inscribed with “Soldiers and Civilians Friendship Pool” stands at the southeastern corner. Covering a total area of 580 square meters, it stands as a tangible testament to the deep bond between the Chinese People's Liberation Army and the people of Dongtou. In 1964, officers and soldiers of the Sixth Company stationed on the island, in an effort to address the local residents’ difficulties in accessing water for production and daily life, joined forces with local villagers to build this large pool. In June 1965, the Sixth Company was honored by the Ministry of National Defense as the “Model Company for Military-Civilian Defense.” From December 12 to 14 of the same year, the Ministry of National Defense held a grand award ceremony in Hangzhou, during which Commander of the Nanjing Military Region Xu Shiyou, representing the ministry, presented the company with its banner.

Source: Wenzhou Museum