National Memorial Day: Moving forward without forgetting the past

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02:18

We return to our top story. December 13th is a day for grieving and reflection in China, as it marks the beginning of the horrific Nanjing Massacre in 1937.

A ceremony has been held in the city, to mark the 81st anniversary of the atrocities. CGTN's Xu Mengqi takes us there and meet one of the few remaining survivors.

A moment of solemn silence, to remember those who lost their lives. And some consolation, for those who survived but were scarred for life.

XIA SHUQIN NANJING MASSACRE SURVIVOR "Back then I was only 8 years old. Now I am about to turn 90. But how I made through all these years, I don't even know."

In November 1937, after capturing the city of Shanghai, Japanese invaders waged a full-force attack on the then Chinese capital, Nanjing. One month later, Nanjing fell and over 300,000 lives were slaughtered.

XU MENGQI NANJING "In 2014, December 13th was designated as China's National Memorial Day. It's a day to pay tribute to victims of the Nanjing massacre, but also a time to teach more people about a genocide less well-known than the Holocaust, but equally atrocious."

Yet many agree, the only way forward, is through peace.

WANG CHEN MEMBER POLITBURO OF THE CPC CENTRAL COMMITTEE "This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between China and Japan. Over these four decades, it is indeed thanks to the efforts of many who cherish this friendship that the truth about the Nanjing massacre became better-known."

J. FRED ARMENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL CITIES OF PEACE "The Nanjing massacre allows people of the world to see a glimpse into some of the trauma that a society has experienced and that will enable us to understand the Chinese people better, and it's understanding that will lead to a more peaceful world."

And peace, is what everyone is reminded of at the end of the memorial ceremony. XMQ, CGTN, Nanjing.