In a solemn show of remembrance, Nanjing residents observed a moment of silence as sirens blared across the city on Friday, marking China’s national ceremony mourning the 300,000 victims of the Nanjing Massacre.
Despite the winter cold, thousands of people dressed in dark costumes gathered with white flowers pinned to their chests to participate in the ceremony. China’s national flag was flown at half-mast in front of the crowd, which included massacre survivors, local students and international friends.
At 10:01 am, the sirens began to sound. The city’s drivers stopped their vehicles, honking in unison, while pedestrians paused to observe a moment of silence in memory of the victims.
More than 80 young people recited a declaration of peace and citizen representatives rang the Peace Bell. In a poignant symbol of hope, white doves were released, flying over the plaza of the Memorial Hall for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre by the Japanese Invaders.
The Nanjing Massacre occurred when Japanese troops seized the then Chinese capital on December 13, 1937. Over the course of six weeks, they killed approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers in one of the most barbaric episodes of World War II.
A decade ago, China’s highest legislature designated December 13 as the national day of remembrance for the victims of atrocities. Since last year’s National Memorial Day, six survivors of the massacre have passed away, leaving just 32 registered survivors still alive.
The Chinese government preserved the testimonies of these survivors through written documents and video recordings. In 2015, these records were inscribed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register, ensuring that this harrowing chapter in history will be remembered by future generations.
Source: https://www.chinahoje.net/china-realiza-cerimonia-nacional-pelas-vitimas-do-massacre-de-nanjing/
