Thousands mourn for victims of Nanjing Massacre

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-12-14 14:45

NANJING - Thousands of people gathered in Nanjing on Saturday to mourn the 300,000 lives slaughtered by the Japanese troops 71 years ago, and pray for a peaceful world.

Chinese soldiers hold wreaths during a ceremony marking the 71st anniversary of the start of the Nanjing Massacre at the Nanjing Massacre Museum, Jiangsu province December 13, 2008. Several ceremonies were held on December 13 to commemorate the 1937 massacre, when Japanese troops killed more than 300,000 people in the Chinese city. [Agencies]

More than 5,000 mourners, including students, massacre survivors, local officials and people from Japan observed a moment of silence at a square in front of the memorial hall for the victims.

A peace declaration that calls on "building a peaceful and harmonious world" was read out at the gathering.

"I miss my mother who was killed by the Japanese 71 years ago, especially at this moment every year," said She Ziqing, a 76-year-old massacre survivor. "I wish my mother and all the victims peace and rest. The history cannot be forgotten."

Dozens of monks and Buddhist disciples from China and Japan also rallied and held a religious ceremony to lament the massacre victims.

"We commemorate the day to ponder upon the past, to disclose the atrocities of Japanese aggressors, to cherish peace, and to strengthen our will of peaceful development," said Bao Guoxin, vice chairman of Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

The Japanese troops occupied Nanjing, then capital of China, on December 13, 1937, and launched a six-week massacre. More than 300,000 Chinese people, including disarmed soldiers and civilians were slaughtered.

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