Bells tolled and sirens sounded across China Tuesday morning. On September 18, 1931, Japanese fighters invaded northeastern China, setting off 14 years of bloodshed and turmoil. Many Chinese say they can't forget the wounds left by the invasion.
87 years ago, the Japanese Kwantung Army stationed in northeast China blew up a section of the South Manchuria Railway in Shenyang. At the time, Japan held a lease to the areas in northeast China, and owned the railway. But the Japanese Army staged the bombing, blaming it on Chinese military, and then using the attack as pretext to invade the region.
It marked the start of Japan's invasion of Manchuria and the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. The incident preceded the outbreak of the World War II by eight years. China's northeastern provinces became a main battlefield for wars in Asia. When the Japanese surrendered on September 2, 1945, it was a victory for the Chinese people's resistance.
A ceremony is held in the 9.18 History Museum in Shenyang City on Tuesday. /CGTN Photo
26-year-old Han Xiao is a narrator and tour guide at Shenyang's 9.18 History Museum. The museum officially opened in 1999 – giving people the chance to learn and remember the history. For Han Xiao, the history is becoming more than just photos and texts.
“It's not just about teaching people the history. More importantly we try to pass down a spirit of patriotism as well as the perseverance showed by the resistance in northeastern China against Japanese invaders,” said Han.
The museum sees an increase in visitors around September 18 each year – most of them are younger people who want to know more about the past.
Han Xiao, narrator at Shenyang 9.18 History Museum, talks to CGTN at the museum. /CGTN Photo
“After seeing how much the Japanese aggressors prepared for the invasion, I resent them,” said one middle school student.
“There were many people injured and killed. As Chinese, we have to preserve peace,” said a university student.
While the history cannot be erased nor forgotten, wounds might heal with time. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Peace between China and Japan. As two important players globally, maintaining peace and healthy ties not only benefits the two but also the region and the rest of the world.