During the Anti-Japanese War, the "China Night" and "One Bowl of Rice" campaigns organized by the Alliance to Defend China initiated by Soong Ching Ling?

Between July and September 1941, Soong Ching Ling initiated the "One Bowl Rice Movement" in Hong Kong. Subsequently, it aroused enthusiastic responses from all walks of life in Hong Kong. Hong Kong people took to the streets to buy meal coupons, eat "patriotic rice" and "national salvation rice", and rushed to make their own contributions to funding the Anti-Japanese War and relieving compatriots. Organizing the “One Bowl of Rice Movement” The “One Bowl of Rice Movement” was originally initiated by the American Society for Medical Aid to China and other groups in 1939. It is held annually to collect donations from the American people and overseas Chinese to purchase medicine and medical equipment to support China's war of resistance. Soon, the "One Bowl Rice Movement" spread to the United Kingdom, Canada and many countries in South America. From the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War in July 1937 until Japan began to attack Hong Kong on December 7, 1941, Hong Kong was temporarily spared from the war and became the stronghold of the anti-Japanese and national salvation movement. In order to raise funds and relieve wounded soldiers and refugees, in 1941, Soong Ching Ling, then chairman of the China Defense League (referred to as "Bao League") and honorary chairman of the International Committee of Chinese Trade Unions, initiated and led the "One Bowl" event in Hong Kong that shocked the entire territory. rice movement". She believes that launching such a movement in Hong Kong is of great significance in stimulating the patriotic enthusiasm of more than 1.5 million Hong Kong compatriots and raising funds for disaster relief. In early May, based on Soong Ching Ling's initiative, the "Bao League" was established in Hong Kong with Soong Ching Ling as the honorary chairman, Lawyer Luo Manjin, the chief Chinese member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council as the chairman, Clark, the wife of Hong Kong Medical Director Szeto Wing-kue, as the vice chairman, and including Hong Kong Chinese businessmen. The "One Bowl Rice Movement" committee including the head of the General Conference. After research, the committee decided to sell 10,000 meal coupons at HK$2 each. The value of the meal coupons could have allowed them to enjoy several dishes, but subscribers could only use the coupons to eat a bowl of fried rice at a sponsored restaurant. This difference left a surplus The fund will be handed over to the China Industrial Cooperative for relief of refugees from the northwest. The "One Bowl Rice Campaign" immediately received positive response from all walks of life in Hong Kong. The first donor was Wen Ziming, owner of Lai Shan Restaurant on Wellington Street, who expressed his willingness to donate 500 bowls of rice. Under his leadership, restaurants and restaurants in Hong Kong responded one after another. Within a few days, 13 restaurants participated, and *** donated more than 5,000 bowls of rice. Everyone calls it the "national salvation meal." The founding meeting of the "One Bowl of Rice Movement" was held. On the evening of July 1, Soong Ching Ling presided over the grand opening ceremony of the "One Bowl of Rice Movement" at the famous Yingjing Restaurant in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Most members of the "One Bowl Rice Movement" committee and more than 150 Chinese and foreign people from all walks of life in Hong Kong attended the opening ceremony. Song Qingling first introduced the significance of launching the "One Bowl Rice Movement" to everyone present. She pointed out: "The One Bowl Rice Movement not only raises donations to help the people in distress, but also requires a diet to show the meaning of sacrifice. This is our virtue as a human being. It is worthy of praise both at home and abroad, in ancient and modern times." ” She emphasized: “The One Bowl of Rice Movement is an expression of sympathy for our war of resistance and founding of the country, and the promotion of the spirit of democracy.” And “it has a profound meaning, because this donation is to help industrial cooperatives organize and provide relief. Refugees and wounded soldiers, this is to consolidate the production front, to save the country through production, and to help people help themselves. It is the most appropriate kind of relief undertaking." Therefore, "it is worth promoting." On the rostrum of the hall, some precious calligraphy and other cultural relics and souvenirs donated by Soong Ching Ling were displayed and sold for charity on the spot as a donation to the "One Bowl of Rice Movement". Soon these treasures were sold out. After the founding meeting, the "One Bowl Rice Movement" committee carried out extensive publicity and mobilization activities through progressive figures in the journalism, literary and art circles. With vigorous publicity and instigation from all walks of life, Hong Kong's catering industry has responded very enthusiastically to the "One Bowl Rice Movement". After Lai Shan Restaurant first announced its donation of fried rice, Lexian Restaurant in Sheung Wan's Shui Hang Hau immediately donated 3,000 bowls. Subsequently, restaurants, dining rooms, teahouses, etc. in Yingjing, Longquan, Guangzhou, Hanshang, Tianyan, Xiaozion, etc. also actively donated meals. As of August 1, the number of donations has reached 14,700 bowls. At the same time, Hong Kong industrial, commercial, women's, academic and other social groups also responded to the call of "Bao Meng" and assisted the "One Bowl Rice Campaign" committee to sell meal coupons. They are: Chinese Business Association, South China Sports Association, China Youth Ambulance Corps, Lingnan Alumni Association, Hong Kong and Kowloon Residents' Federation, Chinese Machinery Association, Women's Solace Association, etc. In addition, associations such as Tiantian Restaurant, Zhonghao United Chamber of Commerce, Guohua Bank, Wuyi Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Tsuen Wan, as well as people such as Zheng Tieru, Tang Tammei, Gao Fushen, Luo Wenjin and others also donated money to the "One Bowl Rice Campaign".

The “One Bowl of Rice Movement” caused a sensation in Hong Kong. On August 1, 1941, the three-day “One Bowl of Rice Movement” in Hong Kong officially kicked off. In the early morning, Mrs. Clark and other "Baomeng" staff went to various restaurants and teahouses to tour the preparations of each store, expressing satisfaction and gratitude to their careful arrangements and orderly preparations. Thirteen restaurants and restaurants, including Yingjing and Lexian, have decorated their halls and facades in a novel and unique way. Some hung banners on their doors that read "Welcome to eat the national salvation meal", "Patriotic Gate", and "Glory Gate"; some posted patriotic posters in the store; and some displayed anti-Japanese warriors' heroic killings of the enemy. , pictures produced by Gonghe members’ efforts, etc. Preparations are in order. Yingjing Restaurant in Wan Chai has a dedicated hall on the second floor to receive customers of the "One Bowl Rice Movement", and tea is free of charge. Lexian Restaurant is even more ingenious. For those who donate more than 100 yuan, they will serve rice in the red ancient bowl that the restaurant has collected for many years. Slogans and posters were also posted on buses and trams, saying, "Please help the homeless refugees in the motherland," "Let's all have a patriotic meal," and "All proceeds will be given to China Industrial Cooperatives to expand relief work." ” and other slogans. Especially that morning, when a specially made large bowl model appeared on the street, the event reached a climax. A large group of people gathered around this "big bowl" and shouted the slogan "Buy one more bowl of rice, help one more refugee", and passed through the downtown areas such as Central, Western District, Wan Chai, etc., to give the already well-known "one bowl" Rice Movement" added to the momentum. On this day, Hong Kong people took to the streets to buy meal coupons one after another. Everyone was proud to be able to fund the Anti-Japanese War and relieve compatriots in the motherland. They praised the fried rice as "patriotic rice" and "national salvation rice" as they were trying their best to save the nation, so they all had a look of pride on their faces. A small vendor told the reporter of the newspaper: "I usually save money on various expenses. Even if it is a match, I have to weigh it. But I can't be stingy when buying a bowl of rice and sports meal coupons. I bought 5 bowls. , my wife and children all ate, and although I spent the 10 yuan I finally earned, I felt extremely happy because our family had fulfilled our responsibilities as a Chinese and felt at ease in our conscience.” The owners and clerks of various restaurants regard participating in the "One Bowl Rice Movement" as the most meaningful thing in their lives. They pay attention to the processing of ingredients like a wedding banquet and receive diners with unprecedented high-quality service. A ragged beggar walked up to the "One Bowl of Rice Campaign" special hall on the second floor of Yingjing Restaurant and sat down in a corner. He may have never been in such a luxurious restaurant in his life, and he seemed very uncomfortable. When he was uneasy, the beautiful waitress brought steaming fried rice to him and said with a smile: "Please have a meal." Live interview A reporter witnessed this unusual scene and asked the restaurant manager Gao Fuzhong: "Don't you hate it when beggars come to your restaurant to eat fried rice?" Manager Gao said righteously: "Patriotism does not distinguish between rich and poor. Anyone who comes to eat patriotic rice Yes, we welcome everyone equally." August 2nd and 3rd are weekends and Sundays, and citizens regard participating in the "One Bowl Rice Movement" as the most glorious and important event with eternal commemorative significance. They may bring their young and old to help the whole family eat together; or they may go to the dining room with their friends. Those from poor families can buy a bowl and take it home, and the whole family will sit around. You have a chopstick and I will share a spoonful; those who are sick and old and cannot go out have to ask someone to take it with them. Hong Kong is not divided into north and south, and people are divided into Chinese and foreign. Everyone knows about the "One Bowl Rice Movement". They have different social classes, but they sympathize with the suffering, support Gung Ho, and share the same enthusiasm for victory in the Anti-Japanese War! In that day's "Chinese Business Daily", the headline published Soong Ching Ling's inscription: "The Japanese aggressors have displaced their flesh and blood, and all our compatriots must help each other as soon as possible." The "bowl of rice movement" passed quickly, but there are still many people who regret not being able to eat the "bowl of rice". People from all walks of life have also called for the time to be extended so that more people can eat a bowl of "patriotic rice" and "national salvation rice" to express their patriotism and rescue. As a result, most restaurants have extended their dates, including Longquan Teahouse to August 10th, Tianyan Restaurant to August 15th, and Lexian and Kogion restaurants until August 30th. The number of meal coupons sold far exceeded the original target of 20,000. The "One Bowl of Rice Campaign" was a complete success. On September 1st, the "One Bowl Rice Campaign" came to a successful conclusion. The closing ceremony was held at Yingjing Restaurant, with Soong Ching Ling attending the event to preside over the event. At the meeting, the income from the "One Bowl Rice Campaign" was announced: after deducting various expenses, the net balance was HKD 25,000 and French currency NT$ 615.

During the victory march, Soong Ching Ling awarded prizes, including the banner inscribed "Patriotic Model" by her, to the 13 winning restaurants that pledged fried rice; Mr. Sun Yat-sen's inscription "Strive forward" was presented to him as a special encouragement. All proceeds from the "One Bowl of Rice Movement" were donated to the China Industrial Cooperation Movement, which effectively supported China's war of resistance. Its success is inseparable from Soong Ching Ling's strong support on the one hand; and on the other hand, it is inseparable from the patriotic enthusiasm of Hong Kong compatriots for national salvation.