The Liuhua Battle Site

The Liuhua Battle Site

The Liuhua Battle Site is located in Sangyuanxia, Liuwu Village, Shijie Town, Dongguan City, covering an area of approximately 200 acres.

In October 1938, Japanese forces launched their invasion of South China. On the 12th, they landed at Daya Bay in Huizhou, Guangdong Province. On October 15, the Dongguan County Central Committee of the Communist Party of China formed the Dongguan Anti-Japanese Model Militia Unit. After occupying Huizhou, the Japanese took control of Shilong on the 19th, putting Dongcheng in imminent danger. On the same day, the Dongguan County Central Committee decided that He Yucheng, the political instructor of the Dongguan Social Training Corps, and Yan Qi, the deputy commander, would lead over 200 members of the model militia unit and the reserve militia to set up defenses along the Dongjiang River near Liuhua, Xiakou, Xihu, and Jingshan in the eastern part of Shilong. Their mission was to prevent the Japanese from crossing the river and attacking Dongcheng. The model militia and reserve forces engaged in fierce battles for over 20 days in Xiakou, Jingshan, and Aozhitang, killing and injuring dozens of enemy soldiers. These confrontations significantly weakened the Japanese forces’ morale and greatly boosted the confidence of the Dongguan people in resisting the invasion.

Learning that Japanese troops had repeatedly raided and terrorized villagers in the Shijie area, both the model militia and reserve units were eager to fight back. After careful consideration by Yan Qi and He Yucheng, it was decided to cross the river and join forces with local residents of Shijie to combat the Japanese aggression. Yan Qi focused on military operations, while He Yucheng was responsible for mobilizing the public. Each night, He Yucheng would cross the river with a few soldiers to Liuwu Village to promote the cause of resisting Japan and saving the nation, rally villagers to take up arms, and help organize the Liuwu Anti-Japanese Self-Defense Team. Before dawn on November 13, He Yucheng and Yan Qi led over 40 members across the Dongjiang River at Xiakou and set up an ambush near Liuwu Village. At 9 a.m., they encountered a patrol of Japanese cavalry near the village. With support from the Liuwu Self-Defense Team, the militiamen concentrated their fire on the Japanese horsemen. Caught off guard, the Japanese returned fire while attempting to flee on horseback. The battle grew intense, with the Japanese encircling Sangyuanxia. The Chinese forces used field ridges for cover, ducked into the rice paddies, and continued to fight fiercely. The battle continued until noon, when the Japanese, uncertain of the resistance's strength, retreated toward Shilong, taking several bodies with them. Eleven members of the model militia unit, including Wang Shangqian, and eleven members of the Liuwu Self-Defense Team, including Liu Jinghui, lost their lives in this battle. After the fighting, the Dongguan County Central Committee organized a memorial service attended by thousands in Dongcheng to honor the fallen and inspire continued resistance against the Japanese. This engagement is historically known as the “Liuhua Battle.” It marked one of the earliest organized armed resistances led by the Guangdong branch of the Communist Party of China against the invading Japanese forces and signaled the beginning of Dongguan’s armed struggle against the occupation.

The former battlefield is now a serene place with blue skies, clear waters, lush trees, and tranquil grass. Though time has passed, the memory of history remains. The site has been enclosed by a wall to commemorate the martyrs and inspire future generations.

(Tang Manquan and Yuan Rukun, Propaganda, Education, and Science Office, Shijie Town Committee)

Liuwu Village: Nestled along the scenic Dongjiang River, Liuwu Village boasts beautiful surroundings and a rich heritage. It lies east of the Dongguan-Shenzhen Expressway and the fifth ring road in Shijie, and west of the Beiwang Highway, offering excellent transportation access. Covering a total area of 4.98 square kilometers, the village includes 10 villager groups with a registered population of 4,377, as well as over 7,970 migrant workers engaged in business and employment.

The village currently hosts around 200 industrial enterprises, including 7 foreign-funded companies and more than 190 private businesses. In 2008, the combined collective assets of the village and its subgroups totaled 258.57 million yuan, with fiscal revenue ranking among the top in the city’s 596... More details about Liuwu Village ++