Former Site of the Headquarters of the China Defense League

Former Site of the Headquarters of the China Defense League

The former site of the Headquarters of the China Defense League is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The former site of the "China Defense League" was built in 1936 by engineer Yang Nengshen, who had returned from studying in Germany. It covers an area of 1,200 square meters, with a built-up area of 760 square meters. The site consists of three parts: the main building served as the residence and office for Soong Ching Ling and the headquarters of the "China Defense League," the rear auxiliary buildings were used for the staff, and there was an air-raid shelter behind the house to take refuge from Japanese air raids. In 1939, the building was rented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and temporarily used to receive foreign guests.

On March 31, 1940, Soong Ching Ling came to Chongqing, the wartime capital, for the first time, attracting attention from all walks of life. However, Soong Ching Ling’s decision to go to Chongqing was not due to personal ties but to lay the foundation for united resistance. “To realize the ideal of unity, solidarity, and joint resistance through action.” Soong Ching Ling clarified this viewpoint in her talk “Impressions of a Trip to Chongqing.”

During her short stay of just a few dozen days in Chongqing, Soong Ching Ling visited the first Children’s Welfare Institute on Gele Mountain to see orphans taken in during the war and went to hospitals to comfort wounded soldiers... According to staff at the exhibition hall, this trip to Chongqing caused a great sensation both domestically and internationally, and was seen as a symbol of China’s united resistance.

Re-establishment of the "China Defense League" in Chongqing

Four Years of Persistent Resistance

Soong Ching Ling’s office, the meeting room of the "China Defense League"... Reporters explored the historical traces left by the "China Defense League" in the exhibition hall one by one, which seemed to softly recount memories from the wartime years.

On December 8, 1941, when the Pacific War broke out, Soong Ching Ling came to Chongqing again from Hong Kong. This time, she aimed to re-establish the "China Defense League" in Chongqing. The "China Defense League" was initiated in 1938 in Hong Kong by Soong Ching Ling, who invited renowned figures from China and abroad to form it. It included members from various political parties and social strata both domestically and abroad, making it an extremely broad-based organization.

Initially, Soong Ching Ling had no residence in Chongqing and had to stay temporarily at the home of her elder sister, Soong Ai-ling. Soong Ai-ling’s husband was Kong Xiangxi, the Finance Minister of the Kuomintang. Soong Ching Ling’s every move in the Kong household was monitored by their servants, making it impossible for her to carry out work for the "China Defense League." Later, she moved to No. 3 Xincun, Lianglukou (now No. 5 Xincun, Lianglukou), and continuously wrote letters abroad, inviting former members of the Central Committee of the "China Defense League" to come to Chongqing quickly. In August 1942, the Central Committee of the "China Defense League" was re-established in Chongqing.

"Chongqing was the wartime capital, and conducting 'China Defense League' work in the Kuomintang-controlled areas was very difficult, often encountering numerous obstacles from the Kuomintang." Exhibition hall staff explained that around the "China Defense League" office—Soong Ching Ling’s residence—there were often spies monitoring her. The organization’s publication, the "China Defense League Newsletter," faced restrictions from the Kuomintang and was unable to obtain permission for distribution. Coupled with soaring domestic prices during the war, the work of the "China Defense League" became even more challenging. But Soong Ching Ling did not flinch; using her high international reputation, she broke through various barriers imposed by the Kuomintang and continuously sought international aid.

The "China Defense League" persisted in the resistance in Chongqing for four years, welcoming the final victory of the Anti-Japanese War. In November 1945, Soong Ching Ling left Chongqing for Shanghai, and the "China Defense League" also moved to Shanghai, where it was renamed the "China Welfare Fund," still under the direction of Soong Ching Ling.

In May 2013, the former site of the Headquarters of the China Defense League was announced as part of the seventh group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units