Nanjing massacre cannot be denied
Print Edition
PRESIDENT Xi Jinping said yesterday that denial of the Nanjing Massacre will not be allowed by the Chinese people or by peace-loving people anywhere.
The massacre, committed by Japanese aggressors, was an atrocious crime and a dark page in the history of humanity, Xi said while addressing a state commemoration for China’s first National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims.
“Anyone who tries to deny the massacre will not be allowed by history, the souls of the 300,000 deceased victims, the 1.3 billion Chinese people, or all people who love peace and justice,” Xi said.
The ceremony, presided over by Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, was held at the memorial hall of the massacre victims in Nanjing.
Japanese troops captured the then China capital on December 13, 1937, and began a slaughter that lasted more than 40 days.
About 300,000 Chinese soldiers, who had laid down their arms, and civilians were murdered and about 20,000 women were raped.
The memorial ceremony started at 10am. About 10,000 people joined in a minute’s silence as sirens howled over the city.
Sixteen honor guards laid eight wreaths in memory of the victims while the national flag flew at half-mast. Seventy-seven students read a declaration of peace.
Xi, along with 85-year-old massacre survivor Xia Shuqin and a school child, unveiled a memorial “ding,” a type of ancient Chinese cauldron symbolizing state power and prosperity, at the ceremony.
Xi, who wore a white flower in his lapel, said: “The purpose of the memorial ceremony is to recall that every good-hearted person yearns for and holds a firm stance of peace, but doesn’t try to prolong hatred.
“Only if everyone cherishes and safeguards peace, and only if everyone remembers the bitter lessons of war can there be hope for peace.”
The Chinese and Japanese people should live in friendship from generation to generation and make joint efforts to contribute to the peace of humanity, he said.
“We should not bear hatred against an entire nation. The responsibility for war crimes lies with a few militarists, but not the people. However, we cannot at any time forget the severe crimes committed by aggressors,” he said.
Xi also expressed thanks to the foreigners who protected Nanjing residents. German John Rabe, Dane Bernhard Arp Sindberg and American priest John Magee were among the foreign friends.
“The Chinese people will never forget their humanitarian spirit, and righteous acts,” Xi said.
Today, China is a great country capable of guaranteeing a peaceful life for its people, he said.
China in February designated December 13 as the National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims.
After Xi finished speaking, six representatives struck the Bell of Peace and 3,000 doves signifying peace were released over the memorial hall.
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