On Friday, China held a solemn national memorial ceremony in Nanjing to honor the 300,000 victims of the Nanjing Massacre, a tragic event that occurred during World War II. Residents of Nanjing gathered to pay their respects and advocate for peace.
At 8 a.m., the national flag was flown at half-mast at the square of the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders. As sirens wailed at 10:01 a.m., the bustling city came to a standstill. Drivers stopped their vehicles and honked their horns, while pedestrians paused for a moment of silence to remember those who lost their lives.
More than 80 young people read aloud a declaration of peace, emphasizing the importance of remembering history to build a harmonious future. Citizen representatives struck the Bell of Peace, and white doves were released, symbolizing hope and the pursuit of peace.
December 13 was designated as the National Memorial Day for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre in 2014. The massacre began on December 13, 1937, when Japanese troops captured Nanjing, leading to over six weeks of atrocities where approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers were brutally killed. It remains one of the most harrowing episodes of World War II.
The number of registered survivors has dwindled over the years, with only 32 remaining as of July 22. The Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre, opened in 1985 at a burial site for victims, serves as a somber reminder of the past. Since becoming the main venue for the national memorial ceremony, it has attracted around 5 million visitors each year.
This year, the memorial hall has received over 125,000 comments from visitors, with words like “history,” “peace,” and “remember” frequently appearing. These reflections underscore the collective desire to acknowledge the past while fostering a peaceful future.
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China holds national commemoration for Nanjing Massacre victims
cgtn.com
