On Saturday evening, a group of people, including those from
government departments, enterprises and schools, visited the
monument for the compatriots murdered in the massacre.
Holding candles and chrysanthemums, they stood in silent
tribute, and then put
On December 13, 1937, Japanese troops invaded Nanjing and killed
more than 300,000 Chinese, most of them civilians and many of them
women and children.
On Saturday evening, Nanjing residents paid tribute to those who
died at the monument erected in their memory with a candlelight
ceremony, placing chrysanthemums -- the traditional flower of
mourning -- at the foot of the stone.
On Sunday morning, crowds of people visited the Nanjing Memorial
Hall of Compatriots Murdered in the Nanjing Massacre.
Many were students. A group from Nanjing
University read poems they had written, mourning the dead and
praying for world peace.
From 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM, a special ceremony was held for the
survivors of the massacre.
Xia Shuqin, Luo Zhongxiang and others accepted certificates from
the Nanjing Massacre Survivors' Association on behalf of 179
survivors. The certificates entitle the holders to various forms of
assistance.
The memorial hall's new website, www.nj1937.org, was also
officially launched.
Wu Jing, of the city information office, said, "The government
will hold a solemn commemorative ceremony Monday and ring the alarm
as we do every anniversary.''
(China Daily December 12, 2004)
