The local government said Wednesday that September 3 will be a public holiday to mark Japan’s surrender in World War II, following a decision by the central government to declare a holiday in the mainland to celebrate the nation’s anti-fascist victory.
The State Council in Beijing announced Wednesday morning that it made the 70th anniversary of the Japanese surrender in World War II a public holiday and September 3 has been declared “The 70th anniversary of Chinese People’s Anti-Japanese War and the World Anti-Fascist War Victory Commemoration Day.”
The spokesperson also said the local government had not yet decided whether September 3 will be a common public holiday or a so-called obligatory holiday. In the latter case, employees required to work on that day have the right to triple pay.
The spokesperson also said the government had yet to decide whether September 3 will be a one-off or become an annual holiday.
Meanwhile, the Hong Kong government Wednesday followed the central government’s lead and proposed to make September 3 a statutory holiday to commemorate Japan’s surrender in the Second World War 70 years ago, RTHK reported.
According to RTHK, the arrangement is just for this year and the proposal would still have to be formally approved by the Legislative Council (LegCo).
The government-owned radio station quoted Labour Party legislator Lee Cheuk-yan as saying that the idea was “clearly politically motivated”. But nevertheless, he welcomed the additional holiday.
September 3 is also known as V-J Day, or Victory over Japan Day. (macaunews/macaupost)
