Scars of History: Memories of Nanjing endure in China, less so elsewhere

World
Europe

One reason why historical records are so important is that as events recede further back into history, they become more susceptible to being forgotten. And people in countries not directly affected are even less likely to remember. Here's what some people from outside China said when asked if they'd heard about the Nanjing Massacre.

KANG HYUN-WOO RESIDENT IN SOUTH KOREA "I heard a little bit about it, not much though, while studying history, but I don't know exactly what happened."

RESIDENT IN THE UK "Nanjing? Yes sure. It's just tragedy. It must not happen again. Very sad moment for Chinese people and Korean people as well, for Asian countries in terms of maintaining peace in the Asian region."

RESIDENT IN SINGAPORE "I mean, if I'm not wrong, half of the population was wiped out during that period."

"Have you ever heard of the Nanking massacre?"

RESIDENT IN THE UK "No what is it?"

RESIDENT IN THE US "No unfortunately not. I'm so sorry that I don't even know that I haven't heard of it."

RESIDENT IN AUSTRALIA "Well, it was an appalling atrocity. Australia was involved because Robert Menzies sold pit guns to the Japanese. The union boycotted the ship that transported to the Japanese in protest against those massacres."

RESIDENT IN THE US "Vaguely I have heard of it. But I don't know the details of it. And Auschwhitz? Oh yes, I know in Germany too they talk about Auschwitz."

"Have you heard of the Nanjing massacre?"

RESIDENT IN GERMANY "No. And Auschwitz? Yes."

BANG SO-JEONG RESIDENT IN SOUTH KOREA "I think it's not just about the Nanjing Massacre. I think those countries that have experienced things like this in their history, like massacres and atrocities, we need to find out the truth."