A commemoration ceremony for the 92nd anniversary of the September 18 Incident is held in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, September 18, 2023. /CGTN
Monday marks the 92nd anniversary of the September 18th incident, which triggered China's 14-year-long war against Japanese aggression. Shenyang City in northeast China's Liaoning Province – where the incident occurred 92 years ago – once again wailed sirens in the same location at the same time to remember the day.
On the night of September 18, 1931, the Japanese army destroyed a section of the railway in Shenyang, falsely accusing Chinese troops of sabotage to justify a full-scale invasion. Now, 92 years later, the memory of this national humiliation still lives on.
"Our country has fought a bloody battle against its enemies, many soldiers lost their lives for the hard-won peace," said one visitor at the 9.18 Historical Museum.
"It is necessary to commemorate the event since many children and young people don't know much about this part of the history, some even have inaccurate understanding," another visitor added.
Bai Yu, left, the head of the Office of Collection Management at the 9.18 Historical Museum, tells CGTN that war material donations were carried out on a regular basis, with the purpose of expanding knowledge, deepening awareness and providing appreciation to visitors. /CGTN
After the September 18 Incident, China waged a war against Japanese aggression for 14 years, and finally won the first full victory against foreign invasion since the Opium War in 1840.
Over the last two decades, the 9.18 Historical Museum has welcomed millions of visitors. It serves as a vital site for patriotic education and commemorative events. The museum's collections have expanded thanks to the donation of historical materials by ordinary citizens.
"War material donations were carried out on a regular basis, with the purpose of expanding knowledge, deepening awareness and providing appreciation to visitors from all walks of life," Bai Yu, the head of the Office of Collection Management at the museum, told CGTN.
A recent stage performance by the Shenyang acrobatic troupe suggests a renewed interest in narratives related to the September 18 Incident. /CGTN
For decades, numerous literary and artistic works offering unique perspectives on the September 18 Incident have emerged. The recent stage performance by the Shenyang acrobatic troupe suggests a renewed interest from audiences in narratives related to the event.
An Ning, the director of Shenyang Acrobatic Troupe, told CGTN: "The rule of thumb of the show is that it has to be based on facts. And we've tried a completely new approach of performance combined with acrobatic techniques, in order to bring powerful visual impacts about the September 18 Incident to the audiences."
The 14-year Japanese invasion resulted in over 35 million casualties among Chinese troops and civilians. By commemorating the September 18 Incident, the Chinese people reaffirm their commitment to never forget this dark chapter in history and prevent it being repeated.