China urges Japan to treasure peace at Nanjing Massacre memorial

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China urges Japan to safeguard world peace and remember history, Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) said on Wednesday, while the country remembered the victims killed by Japanese troops during the war of aggression.

Japanese invaders started a full-scale invasion of China on July 7, 1937, and it brought catastrophe to the Chinese people, Yu said.

On December 13, 1937, the invaders brutally took over Nanjing and the horrendous massacre began. An estimated 300,000 Chinese civilians and soldiers were killed, he added.

Yu made the remarks at a state memorial ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre in the city of Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province.

China holds a memorial ceremony for victims killed in China's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Nanjing, December 13, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders attended the memorial.

Yu urged Japan to remember history and the victims killed during China's resistance against Japanese invasion. He said over 35 million Chinese people died during the 14 years of fighting against Japan's invasion, and called for efforts to maintain world peace.

"Today we are here solemnly remembering the deceased, which means Chinese people are holding a firm stance on peaceful growth," Yu said.

China will never seek hegemony and expansion, and will never put other nations through the pain that the Chinese people have suffered, he said.

Yu said this year marks the 45th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic ties and urged the Japanese government to safeguard world peace, which will benefit the people of the two countries.

China holds a memorial ceremony for victims killed in China's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Nanjing, December 13, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

"China and Japan are close neighbors, and the two countries have enjoyed a deep non-governmental communication. China hopes to further friendly relations with its neighbors," Yu said.

Yu said China is willing to shoulder the responsibility of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and China will always contribute to world peace, growth and maintain world order.

This year’s ceremony marks the fourth Memorial Day and the 80th anniversary of Nanjing Massacre. Survivors and descendants of international friends said it's very significant to hold this event.

CGTN reporter Su Yuting talks with an attendee of the memorial ceremony. /CGTN Photo

As one of the descendants of international friends, Rick Magee, the grandson of John Magee, has also attended the National Memorial Day Ceremony. He said we should remember history and work together so such event will not happen again. Magee said he felt very honored to attend this event and won't forget about it for the rest of his life.

Another survivor, an elderly lady said that she is so grateful to the Communist Party of China and feels so thankful that China was able to rightfully identify her dad after he lost his life in the massacre.

Just as many other people said, the event is held not to continue the hatred, but to raise people's yearning for peace, and to build a peaceful and better future.

(CGTN's Su Yuting also contributed to the story.)

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