Hong Kong, a city once torn apart by war, was finally free! The Japanese occupation, which lasted for three years and eight months, came to an end on September 16, 1945. The Japanese forces formally surrendered, marking a new beginning for the people of Hong Kong. With the war finally over, the city could start rebuilding and recovering from the devastating effects of the occupation. The people of Hong Kong could once again live without fear of oppression, and the city could look forward to a brighter future.