Liberation of Yijiangshan Islands Martyrs' Cemetery

Liberation of Yijiangshan Islands Martyrs' Cemetery

The Liberation of Yijiangshan Islands Martyrs' Cemetery is a Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Heritage Site, a classic red tourism destination, a patriotic education base, and a national defense education base.

The Liberation of Yijiangshan Islands Martyrs' Cemetery was built to commemorate the 525 martyrs who bravely sacrificed their lives during the battle to liberate Yijiangshan Islands on January 18, 1955. The main structures of the cemetery include a memorial archway, a memorial path, the Battle Memorial Tower, memorial pavilions, stone tablets, martyrs’ tombs, the Martyrs’ Bridge, statues of martyrs, a memorial hall, and an exhibition hall. It was designated as a National Patriotic Education Base by China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs.

In 1986, the cemetery was listed as a Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Heritage Site. In 1996, it was named a Municipal Patriotic Education Base by the Taizhou Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government. In 1997, it was designated as a Provincial Patriotic Education Base by the Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government. In 2001, it was awarded the title of National Patriotic Education Demonstration Base by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. In 2004, it was included in the Red Tourism Base list by the National Tourism Administration. In 2005, it was designated as a Revolutionary Tradition Education Base by the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force.

To commemorate the battle to liberate Yijiangshan Islands and the 454 revolutionary martyrs who gave their lives, on March 4, 1956, the People's Government of Zhejiang Province built the cemetery in Haimen in honor of those who died during the joint land, sea, and air campaign to liberate the islands. The site underwent renovations and expansions in 1959, 1974, and 1998. Especially as the 50th anniversary of the battle approached, the Taizhou Municipal Party Committee, Municipal Government, Jiaojiang District Party Committee, and District Government decided to redesign and expand the cemetery. With an investment of over 100 million yuan, the Liberation of Yijiangshan Islands Martyrs' Cemetery was expanded and reopened on January 18, 2005. The cemetery now features key structures such as the Yijiangshan Island Landing Memorial Hall, the Martyrs' Memorial Hall, the Monument, the Memorial Tower, the Martyrs’ Bridge, clusters of martyrs’ tombs, the Memorial Archway, the group sculptures “United as One,” “Shining Through the Ages,” “Monument of the Three Armed Forces,” “Peace and Prosperity,” as well as an inscription corridor with calligraphy from 52 generals. It also houses handwritten inscriptions from General Zhang Aiping, former Vice Premier and Defense Minister and frontline commander of the battle; former Defense Ministers Zhang Zhen and General Chi Haotian; former Nanjing Military Region Commander General Xu Shiyou; former 20th Army Commander General Liao Zhengguo; former Zhejiang Provincial Party Secretary Tan Qilong, Governor Zhou Jianren; former Minister of Civil Affairs Cui Naifu; as well as calligraphy works from Shu Tong, Chairman of the Chinese Calligraphers Association, and Sha Menghai, Vice Chairman.

The cemetery is the final resting place of 454 martyrs who bravely sacrificed their lives to liberate Yijiangshan Islands. The highest-ranking among them was Deputy Battalion Commander Wu Peihe of the Artillery Battalion, 3rd Regiment, 0080 Unit (from Jinyun, Zhejiang). Among the fallen, one was awarded First-Class Merit, 12 received Second-Class Merit, 90 earned Third-Class Merit, and 26 were honored with Fourth-Class Merit. One martyr was from Jiaojiang (Jin Shouxing, a boat owner who supported the frontlines, awarded Third-Class Merit).

The Martyrs’ Monument stands 3.8 meters high and 1.1 meters wide. The inscription on the front is a quote from General Zhang Aiping, former Minister of Defense and commander of the East Zhejiang Front Headquarters during the Yijiangshan Campaign: “Eternal glory to the martyrs of the land, sea, and air forces who gave their lives to liberate Yijiangshan Island.” On the back is an inscription by General Xu Shiyou, former Commander of the Nanjing Military Region: “Countless waves surge, where heroes once tested their might on sea and land. The desolate island and barren hills have become a thriving place, now vibrant with life. This stone commemorates extraordinary deeds, ambitions soaring like rainbows, as we gaze toward the strait where threats linger. Vowing to sweep away evil and reclaim our land — from Kinmen to Matsu.” This is the large sculpture “Liberation of Yijiangshan Islands,” depicting one soldier each from the army, navy, militia, and civilian support workers, embodying the lofty revolutionary spirit of unity and collective effort in liberating the islands.

As a national-level patriotic education base, the cemetery places great emphasis on software development and internal management. It currently meets the “Seven Haves”: a highly responsible leadership team; a complete set of management systems; a certain number of full-time staff; a highly qualified team of guides; a rich and comprehensive set of exhibits, including cultural relics, photographs, historical materials, and explanatory texts; a multimedia sound, light, and electricity demonstration system introducing the Yijiangshan battle; and a dedicated reception area for visitors.

The cemetery also tailors its educational themes to different audiences. For primary and secondary school students, the focus is on the theme “Without the Communist Party, There Would Be No New China.” For Party members and cadres, it emphasizes “Reviewing History, Reaffirming the Oath of Party Membership, and Remembering the Party’s Purpose.” For the general public, the message is “Honoring Revolutionary Martyrs and Keeping Their Heroic Deeds in Our Hearts.” The goal is to ensure that every visitor gains something meaningful. During Tomb-Sweeping Day, Party Founding Day, Army Day, and National Day, the cemetery actively organizes Party members, soldiers, and students to pay tribute to the martyrs, clean the gravesites, and invites war veterans and veteran Party members to share their stories, passing on revolutionary traditions. According to incomplete statistics, since the expansion, the cemetery has hosted over 600,000 visitors for educational purposes from across the country.