Cities across China commemorated the 94th anniversary of the September 18 Incident, a sinister "false flag" attack by Japanese militarists in 1931 which ultimately led to the Chinese people's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.
In Nanjing City in east China's Jiangsu Province, people gathered at a memorial ceremony in the Memorial Hall of the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders. Participants stood in silence to pay tribute to the war's martyrs and national heroes, before a Peace Bell was struck and flowers were laid in remembrance.
Beijing's Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression on Thursday hosted a concert featuring poetry recitals celebrating the spirit of the War of Resistance. The museum's themed exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, which opened this summer, has now received over 800,000 visitors.
"I am very honored to have participated in the September 3 military parade at the Tian'anmen Rostrum as a volunteer. By volunteering here at the Museum of the War of Resistance, I wish to share my reflections with more people," said Zhou Tianqian, a volunteer at the museum.
In central China's Luohe City, Henan Province, air-raid sirens sounded on the morning of September 18 to mark the anniversary.
Local authorities in Luohe took the opportunity to share national defense education and emergency response training with participants at the commemoration event.
"The sounding of the alarm reminds us never to forget national humiliation. We must learn from history and cherish peace," said Du Shaojie, a local resident.
Commemorative activities were also held on Thursday in Harbin City in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on the site of the former premises of Unit 731, a notorious Japanese germ-warfare that operated during World War II.
In Nanchang City in east China's Jiangxi Province, a commemoration was held at the former headquarters of the New Fourth Army, a vital force during the War of Resistance against Japanese invasion.
Schools in Shanxi, Sichuan, and other provinces organized themed events, encouraging students to remember history and draw inspiration from the past.
Cities across China commemorate 94th anniversary of Sept 18 Incident
