Nanjing: Xia Shuqin, a 96-year-old survivor of the Nanjing Massacre, watched intently as the 12th national memorial day ceremony was broadcast live from her hometown, Nanjing. The annual event honors the 300,000 victims of the massacre that occurred during the Japanese occupation of the city in December 1937. It also marks the 80th anniversary of China's victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the square at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders was filled with thousands of people dressed in dark attire, each wearing white flowers as a symbol of mourning. The Chinese national flag flew at half-mast, observed by survivors, students, and international guests. Xia Shuqin, whose family was decimated during the massacre, expressed concern over Japan's continued reluctance to officially acknowledge the atrocities.
The Nanjing Massacre claimed the lives of approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers over six weeks, a grim period now remembered through memorials and historical documentation. Xia Shuqin has been an outspoken advocate for remembrance, having testified in Japan and won a legal battle against right-wing groups who labeled her a false witness.
In 2025, the number of living survivors dwindled to just 24, underscoring the urgency of preserving their testimonies. In San Jose, California, a memorial park honors Iris Chang, author of "The Rape of Nanking," a book that brought international attention to the massacre.
Chang's mother, Ying-Ying Chang, emphasized the importance of memory to prevent a "second massacre" through forgetfulness, quoting Elie Wiesel to illustrate the moral imperative of remembrance. The story of John Rabe, a German businessman who helped save over 250,000 Chinese lives by establishing a safe zone, was also highlighted during the ceremony. His grandson, Thomas Rabe, echoed sentiments on the necessity of historical accountability.
The memorial comes amid renewed tensions between China and Japan, exacerbated by controversial remarks from Japanese politicians. Zhang Sheng, an expert on the history of the Nanjing Massacre, warned of historical distortions in Japanese education that risk diminishing public understanding of the events.
Efforts to preserve the memory of the massacre include films like "Dead to Rights," which grossed significant revenue and is China's contender for an Oscar. Survivor testimonies have been added to UNESCO's Memory of the World Register, and educational initiatives continue globally to ensure the massacre's history is accurately communicated to future generations.
Megan Brady, a descendant of an American surgeon who witnessed the massacre, is among those actively working to preserve this history. She emphasizes the importance of acknowledging past atrocities to honor victims and promote peace.
The memorial hall in Nanjing serves as a poignant reminder of the massacre's scale, with visitors vowing to remember and learn from the past. Xia Shuqin's granddaughter, Xia Yuan, actively participates in these commemorative efforts, ensuring the stories of those lost remain vivid and respected.