Free screening of war movies and museum exhibitions will be part of local commemorative activities marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

The SAR government said on Monday that an official ceremony on September 3 at the City Hall Memorial Garden will be a large-scale event, highlighting the significance of the occasion.

The commemorative activities will begin in late August and include thematic exhibitions jointly organised by the Hong Kong Museum of History and the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence, together with their national and Guangdong counterparts.

Film screenings, meanwhile, will be co-organised by the Hong Kong Film Archive and local museums.

Chief Secretary Eric Chan, who heads a government steering committee overseeing a working group on patriotic education, said it's a good opportunity for young people to learn more about Chinese history.

"The country's road to prosperity is by no means easy. We need to let young people know how to cherish the harmony, stability and prosperity, and enhance their national identity and spirit," he told a press briefing after a meeting of the group.

"Especially in the face of growing international hegemony, we must now educate young people so that they recognise what the international situation is, and learn from history."

Chan also said the authorities will add war-related features to local heritage trails, to demonstrate Hong Kong's contributions in the war of resistance.

The minister said different government departments will pay for the events.

The convenor of the working group, Starry Lee, said civil groups are also encouraged to organise their own commemorative events in line with the correct view of history.