The Hong Kong Coalition for Preserving the History of World War II in Asia is a non-governmental organisation in Hong Kong aiming at promoting education in history, preserving the historical facts of World War II and cooperating with organisations having similar objects worldwide to compel the Japanese Government to acknowledge the historical facts of Japan's invasion of Asian countries during World War II and the various war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Japan during that period, to discharge its post-war obligations and to give justice to the victims.

Year 2001 marks the 60th anniversary of the Asia-Pacific War and the invasion of Hong Kong by Japan. It is also the 50th anniversary of the signing of the San Francisco Peace Treaty which deals with Japan's post-war responsibilities. Looking back at the fifty odd years after World War II, Japan has not learned any lesson from history, unlike Germany. Japan has neither made any sincere apology to the victimized countries and people, nor offered any fair and just compensation to the victims of the war crimes committed by it. Japan has even refused to admit to the world divers historical facts relating to Japan's invasion and the war crimes committed by it, and has failed to promote to its new generation education on peace and prevention of war. What is most outrageous and unacceptable is that while trying to avoid its post-war obligations, Japan has been continuously and consistently shifting and diluting, and even concealing the heaps of war crimes committed by it, like those involving "comfort women", " Unit 731", "Nanking Massacre", "forced labour" and so on. Worse still, not only did the Japanese prime-minister pay respect to Yasukuni Shrine this year thus glorifying its war criminals, the Japanese Government also approved its right-wing organisations to falsify their history text-books and twist historical facts. This is adding insult to injury towards the victimized people of Asia.

Under the sponsorship of the Global Alliance for Preserving the History of World War II in Asia, the Hong Kong Coalition for Preserving the History of World War II in Asia, the Contemporary China Research Project of the City University of Hong Kong and the Asian Human Rights Commission are hosting a forum entitled "Witnessing Forum on Japanese Atrocities in the Asia-Pacific War" at the City University of Hong Kong from 15th to 16th December this year to provide testimony for history through the giving of oral testimony by victims of various war crimes and atrocities committed by the Japanese Imperial Forces during World War II, a venue for sharing and exchange of working experience by representatives of support groups from Asia, and an opportunity to move forward in uniting forces worldwide to promote and work for their common goal.

We have pleasure in inviting you to attend the above Forum. Attached please find a tentative programme of the above Forum for your reference.

As we have to provide travelling expenses, board and lodging for most of the participating war victims and representatives of their support groups (the estimated average cost for each victim or support group representative from Asia is approximately HK$5,000), we would appreciate very much if you could kindly give us moral and financial support. Any donation, big or small, will be most welcome. Your assistance is vital to our success. Please give serious consideration and priority to sponsoring this meaningful event.

Regarding the collection of funds and further information, please feel free to contact Mr. Eric WONG (telephone no.9257 4433 and email address adphk@yahoo.com.hk)or Mr. David OR (telephone no. 9487 8448 and email address: ko_david@yahoo.com.hk) or at any time.

Thank you for your kind attention and support.

Andrew Tu, Albert Ho, Choy So Yuk
Co-Convenors of Hong Kong Coalition for Preserving the History of World War II in Asia