China on Saturday held various memorial services to commemorate the 77th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

In Beijing's Shijingshan District, district officials, People's Liberation Army officers and student representatives made a field trip to a site hosting a gun turret built by Japanese invaders. They also visited a 97-year-old Chinese war veteran who told them stories about the resistance against Japan.

In Shanghai, dozens of people gathered at the Songhu Memorial Hall for the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, built in memory of the first large-scale resistance battle in the city, and stood in silent tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in the defense of China.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Saturday also held an official ceremony to commemorate the anniversary.

The ceremony, held at the Hong Kong City Hall Memorial Garden, included playing and singing China's national anthem, raising the national flag and the flag of the HKSAR, mourning in silence, and bowing in tribute. 

Attendees of the event included Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Leung Chun-ying, HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee, representatives of Central People's Government organizations in Hong Kong, the chief justice of the HKSAR's Court of Final Appeal, former chief executives of the HKSAR, members of the HKSAR Executive Council and the HKSAR Legislative Council, representatives from war veteran groups, representatives of Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC), representatives of Hong Kong members of the National Committee of the CPPCC, representatives of Heung Yee Kuk, and representatives from uniformed groups. 

Japan signed the formal surrender in World War II on September 2, 1945, half a month after announcing it. In 2014, China declared September 3 a day for the country to mark its victory over Japan.

(With input from Xinhua)

(Cover: Firefighters stand in tribute to the deceased at the Songhu Memorial Hall, Shanghai, China, August 13, 2022. /CFP)