A descendant of British prisoners of war from the Lisbon Maru shipwreck adds her touch to fishermen's paintings to depict the rescue scene in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province on June 18. [Photo/Tide News]

On June 17, 15 descendants of British prisoners of war from the Lisbon Maru shipwreck arrived on Dongji Island in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province.

Among them were elderly individuals with years of life behind them, and children with decades of experiences yet to come. The long journey to Dongji Island was undertaken not only to honor their fathers and grandfathers but also to express gratitude to the fishermen who bravely extended a helping hand 82 years ago.

In October 1942, the Japanese military requisitioned the passenger-cargo ship Lisbon Maru to transport over 1,800 British POWs from Hong Kong to Japan. While passing through the waters near Zhoushan, the ship was struck by United States forces.

Descendants of British prisoners of war from the Lisbon Maru shipwreck and Zhoushan fishermen savor sweet potato soup, the same food that the fishermen had prepared for the POWs during the Lisbon Maru rescue. [Photo/Tide News]

Tragically, 843 British prisoners perished, but 384 were heroically rescued by local fishermen who risked their lives. This courageous rescue forged a deep bond between the survivors and their families and the people of Zhoushan.

To commemorate this bond, the descendants of the fishermen served sweet potato soup to the British descendants, the same food that the fishermen had prepared for the POWs back then.

During the trip, the British descendants added their own touches to fishermen's paintings depicting the rescue scenes, vividly illustrating the bravery and compassion of the fishermen during the Lisbon Maru rescue.

At the Lisbon Maru Rescue Memorial Hall, staff members introduced various artifacts related to the Lisbon Maru ship to the descendants of the British POWs, providing them with a tangible connection to the past.

Adding to the commemoration, the documentary The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru made its global debut on June 14, opening the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival.

Descendants of British prisoners of war from the Lisbon Maru shipwreck visit the Lisbon Maru Rescue Memorial Hall in Zhoushan on June 18. [Photo/Tide News]