As Vancouver celebrates Asian Heritage Month, the Chinese Canadian Museum is offering visitors a powerful new reason to visit its historic Chinatown location. On May 14, the museum opened a deeply moving new exhibition: “A Soldier for All Seasons: Chinese Canadians in the Second World War.”
Presented in collaboration with the Chinese Canadian Military Museum Society, the exhibition commemorates the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War by highlighting the stories of Chinese Canadian men and women who served in every branch of the armed forces. Their stories are ones of sacrifice, bravery, and quiet resistance at a time when they were still regarded as second-class citizens in their own country.
“These were men and women who risked everything for a country that did not yet recognize them as equals,” says Dr. Melissa Karmen Lee, CEO of the Chinese Canadian Museum. “Their bravery and sacrifice challenged deep-seated discrimination and helped lay the foundation for lasting change.”
The exhibition is housed on the newly expanded third floor of the museum, located in the historic Wing Sang Building on Pender Street. Through rare photographs, immersive storytelling, and interactive displays, visitors are given a window into a chapter of Canadian history that is too often left untold.
Among the highlights are the stories of:
- Albert Mah, a fighter pilot who survived hundreds of missions transporting supplies from India to China.
- George Chow, who narrowly escaped death on D-Day when Allied planes accidentally bombed his unit.
- Roger Cheng, who led a team of Chinese Canadian soldiers on a secret sabotage mission behind enemy lines in Borneo.
The exhibition also features a 3D holobox, allowing guests to hear directly from actors retelling the personal experiences of Chinese Canadian soldiers. At the entrance, an original artwork by Vancouver-based artist Jeanette G. Lee, the niece of a WWII veteran, honours the soldiers with engraved names etched into a memorial screen.
“Our mission is to ensure Chinese Canadian veterans are never forgotten,” says Randall (Bud) Wong, President of the Chinese Canadian Military Museum and a retired B.C. Supreme Court judge. “This exhibition helps share their stories of courage, sacrifice, and the fight for belonging in Canada.”
The stories told in “A Soldier for All Seasons” are essential to understanding the broader fight for equality in Canada. The contributions of Chinese Canadians during the war were pivotal in the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1947, a move that finally recognized Chinese Canadians as full citizens.
“These stories are powerful reminders of courage, sacrifice, and the fight for dignity,” says Spencer Chandra Herbert, B.C.’s Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “I’m deeply moved by this exhibition, and proud that our government continues to support the Chinese Canadian Museum in sharing these vital histories.”
The opening of this exhibition is more than a history lesson. It’s an act of remembrance, community education, and cultural resilience. It invites visitors to reflect on the lived experiences of people who shaped the country we live in today, even as they were denied full rights.
“A Soldier for All Seasons” is now open to the public and is expected to draw local visitors, families, and school groups alike throughout the summer and fall. It’s a must-visit for anyone interested in Vancouver history, Canadian identity, or the ongoing journey toward inclusion and recognition.
