President Xi Jinping attended a Nanjing Massacre memorial service in China's former capital, Nanjing. The Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Yu Zhengsheng, delivered the event's keynote speech. Our reporter Su Yuting has this report.

People sang China's national anthem and paid silent tribute for one minute. The Chinese national flag flew at half-mast.

A siren symbolizing grief blared across the Nanjing city and the people stood still for the minute of of silence.

President Xi Jinping, who is also General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and other leaders of the CPC Central Committee and the central government, along with thousands of people including survivors of the massacre, soldiers, veterans, foreign friends, and school children attended the National Memorial Day ceremony.

This is the second time Xi Jinping has attended this event. His first attendance was the first National Memorial Day in 2014.

The guard of honor laid wreaths in front of the main memorial as solemn music played.

Yu Zhengsheng, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, delivered a keynote speech.

YU ZHENGSHENG, NATIONAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN CHINESE PEOPLE’S POLITICAL CONSULTATIVE CONFERENCE "Today, we gather here to hold the national memorial service for Nanjing Massacre victims, in commemoration of the deceased in the massacre and all lives that were lost during the Japanese aggression. It's a declaration that the Chinese will never forget the past and that will cherish peace in the future. It is a solemn declaration that peaceful development is our wish and pledge."

A Declaration of Peace was read out and the Bell of Peace sounded. Dozens of doves were also released.

SU YUTING NANJING, JIANGSU PROVINCE "This memorial hall stands on the site of the massacre at Jiangdong Gate. The countless number of bones found here are referred to as the 'Mass grave of 10,000 corpses'. Japanese troops captured Nanjing, then China's capital, on December 13th, 1937 and went on a killing spree that lasted over a month. More than 300,000 unarmed Chinese soldiers and civilians were murdered and over 20,000 women were raped. That wall in the distance is called the Wall of Calamity. The number 300 thousand was carved on the wall to remember the slaughter and commemorate the victims.

In February 2014, China's top legislature designated December 13 as a National Memorial Day for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre.

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.

FREDERICK HUGH MAGEE DESCENDANT OF JOHN MAGEE "I think if we do not understand and remember our history, we are doom to repeat it. And I think it's very important."

YAO TAILING SURVIVOR OF NANJING MASSACRE "I am so moved. Because the CPC and our government as well as our General Secretary Xi Jinping have officially recognized how my father died."

Ceremonies also took place at other mass grave sites around Nanjing to mark the anniversary. Just as many people said, the event is held not to continue the hate, but to raise people's yearn for peace, and to build a peace and a better future. Su Yuting, CGTN, Nanjing, Jiang Su province.