China marks 78th Memorial Day of the Nanjing Massacre

World Today

78 years ago, more than 300,000 Chinese were slaughtered by Imperial Japanese troops. Sunday morning, a remembrance ceremony was held at the Victims’ Memorial Hall in Nanjing.

CCTV’s Ding Siyue reports.

Thousands of people, including officials, soldiers, veterans, and school children, attended the remembrance ceremony at the Memorial Hall for the victims of the Nanjing massacre.

The national flag was lowered to half-staff, and a silent tribute was recognized for one minute. Soldiers laid wreaths in front of the main memorial as solemn music played.

“We commemorate the victims, honor the soldiers and blame the atrocities. This is not to continue the hate, but to raise people’s yearn for peace, and to build a peace and a better future,” Vice Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, Li Jianguo, said during a keynote speech.

A Declaration of Peace was read out and the Bell of Peace sounded, and dozens of doves were released.

Ceremonies also took place at 17 other mass grave sites around Nanjing to mark the anniversary.


Victor Gao discusses the continued impact of the Nanjing Massacre
For more on the massacre, CCTV America spoke with Victor Gao. He’s a current affairs commentator and joined us from Beijing.