Fortifying the Burma Road At the beginning of the war, the power of the Japanese force appeared to be very fierce. The coastal provinces of China (including Tan's home Xiamen and Jimei) were occupied one after another. Harbors were blockaded by the Japanese navy, too. Thereafter, the Burma Road through Yunnan became the only accessible international path to China.
戰爭伊始，日本來勢兇猛，中國沿海各省（包括陳嘉庚的故鄉廈門和集美）陸續淪陷，港口也被日軍封鎖，於是雲南滇緬公路就成為中國當時僅存的國際通道。