Lost and Found in Hong Kong: The Unsung Chinese Heroes of D-Day

In 2015, as a tenement building in Hong Kong was on the brink of demolition, an unexpected discovery was made in an abandoned apartment: A diary. This diary belonged to Lam Ping-yu, one of a group of 24 Chinese naval officers who took part in the D-Day Landings and Operation Dragoon during the liberation of Southern France. Lam’s diary chronicled his voyages throughout World War II, and remains hitherto the only known primary source on Chinese participation in the operation. Thus, it reveals a largely unknown chapter of history of friendship and solidarity between the Chinese and European peoples. 

This intriguing narrative will be presented by John Mak and Angus Hui, two enterprising young curators who have engaged in extensive further research and collaboration with numerous partners in Hong Kong and abroad, including nine universities, five museums, four consulates and many historical and cultural institutions. Based on their findings, they have developed a roaming exhibition set to take place at Fringe Club and the Chinese University of Hong Kong in late 2024, before touring the UK and the world throughout 2025. The exhibition, named Lost and Found in Hong Kong: The Unsung Chinese Heroes at D-Day, has since garnered widespread international interest and acclaim. John and Angus will speak about this unique episode in history and their journey in curating an exhibition that shares this story on the global stage.

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John Mak is a public affairs professional, devoted to local community development and building understanding across sectors and cultures. He has been widely recognised for his work, including being selected as an inaugural Obama Scholar, Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia honouree, and an Asia 21 Fellow by Asia Society. John holds an MA in public policy and international development from The University of Chicago, and a BA in politics, philosophy and economics from the University of Durham. 

Angus Hui is a journalist-turned-historian who specialises in Chinese modern history, and Hong Kong local culture and heritage. He has received multiple awards for his writings, including the Society of Publishers in Asia Awards and the Business Journalism Awards of the Hang Seng University of Hong Kong. He holds an MPhil in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (Chinese Studies) from the University of Cambridge, where he was awarded the Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence, and a BA in Chinese History and Culture from the University of Hong Kong.