Protect democracy, liberty, justice as tribute to our war dead: Harper

THE CANADIAN PRESS

HONG KONG — Prime Minister Stephen Harper is marking remembrance day in the city that saw one of the most catastrophic episodes of the Second World War for Canada.

Harper is visiting the Sai Wan Bay military cemetery where 283 Canadian soldiers are buried on a grassy, tree-fringed hill.

Harper says Canadians should live their lives worthy of the freedom, democracy and justice they enjoy, as a tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect those values.

He makes note of the courage displayed by the Canadian troops who were so badly outnumbered in Hong Kong, but managed to hold off the Japanese army for nearly three weeks in late 1941.

Those who did not die in combat were sent to prisoner of war camps where they were severely mistreated — and sometimes killed — by their captors.

Harper’s stop in Hong Kong is the last of an eight-day tour of Asia that included visits to India and the Philippines.

03:03ET 11-11-12