July 7 Incident Memorial: Veterans, students mark 82nd anniversary of 'Lugou Bridge Incident'

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A museum in the Chinese capital Beijing has marked the 82nd anniversary of the "July 7th Incident" or "Lugou Bridge Incident" that refers to the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. CGTN's Sun Tianyuan reports.

July 7th is a day that the Chinese people never forget.

82 years ago on this day, Japan launched a full-scale invasion that cost millions of Chinese lives.

Officials, students and soldiers took part in a ceremony held at the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression to mark the occasion.

90-year-old war veteran Chu Wei was among the participants.

CHU WEI, VETERAN 1ST DIVISION, NEW 4TH ARMY "During the 14 years of the War Against Japanese Aggression, there were casualties of over 30 million Chinese people, a figure we should never forget."

Chu served as a medic at the 1st division of the New Fourth Army during the war.

He has seen enough brutality and devastation to know that peace doesn't come easy.

CHU WEI, VETERAN 1ST DIVISION, NEW 4TH ARMY "We should cherish the current peaceful life more. We hope that young people can make better contributions to our motherland."

His view is shared by many young students.

ZHAO LINYUE, SOPHOMORE NORTH CHINA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY "Young people like me feel very privileged to be born in a peaceful time like this. And this couldn't have happened without our predecessors' great efforts. I will study hard and contribute as much as I can to the country."

Zhao's peers who came to perform in honor of the martyrs agree with her.

The museum says the event aims to help young people learn from history.

It is also expected to help pass down the spirit of resistance against aggression to younger generations.

SUN TINAYUAN BEIJING "Without the sacrifices made by Chinese soldiers, the nation may never have achieved the peace, prosperity and security that it enjoys today. So, all the participants in the event agreed that holding such ceremonies was vital to remind people about their past and the long journey they had made to get where they are today. Sun Tinayuan, CGTN, Beijing."