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China remembers dead of Nanjing China remembers dead of Nanjing
(10 minutes later)
China has been holding ceremonies to mark the 70th anniversary of the Nanjing massacre, in which Beijing says 300,000 Chinese civilians were killed.China has been holding ceremonies to mark the 70th anniversary of the Nanjing massacre, in which Beijing says 300,000 Chinese civilians were killed.
Survivors attended the re-opening of a refurbished memorial hall in the city.Survivors attended the re-opening of a refurbished memorial hall in the city.
The killings were carried out by Japanese soldiers in a six-week wave of violence after the city was captured by its forces on 13 December 1937.The killings were carried out by Japanese soldiers in a six-week wave of violence after the city was captured by its forces on 13 December 1937.
The Nanjing massacre, also known as the Rape of Nanjing, has come to symbolise imperial Japanese aggression in China.The Nanjing massacre, also known as the Rape of Nanjing, has come to symbolise imperial Japanese aggression in China.
In the city, air sirens were sounded as people paused in silence to remember the victims.In the city, air sirens were sounded as people paused in silence to remember the victims.
The memorial hall which details the violence has been re-opened after two years of renovations.The memorial hall which details the violence has been re-opened after two years of renovations.
Nanjing: Never forgotten Xu Zhonglin, a provincial Communist Party chief who delivered the main speech at the re-opening ceremony, was quoted by AFP as saying that purpose of the memorial hall "is to better preserve history. To never forget the past. To treasure peace and open the way to the future".Nanjing: Never forgotten Xu Zhonglin, a provincial Communist Party chief who delivered the main speech at the re-opening ceremony, was quoted by AFP as saying that purpose of the memorial hall "is to better preserve history. To never forget the past. To treasure peace and open the way to the future".
Alongside the officials and thousands of residents attending the ceremony were a number of survivors.Alongside the officials and thousands of residents attending the ceremony were a number of survivors.
Eighty-year-old Qiu Xiuying told Reuters news agency that her mother had been killed in the massacre and an aunt injured.Eighty-year-old Qiu Xiuying told Reuters news agency that her mother had been killed in the massacre and an aunt injured.
"So every time there is a memorial, my tears will naturally flow," she was quoted as saying."So every time there is a memorial, my tears will naturally flow," she was quoted as saying.
Chen Fubao, now aged 75, held a photograph of his father, who was killed in the violence.Chen Fubao, now aged 75, held a photograph of his father, who was killed in the violence.
DenialsDenials
In Japan, the anniversary of the assault on Nanjing is not being commemorated officially, but Mr Chen had a message for the country whose forces carried out the slaughter.In Japan, the anniversary of the assault on Nanjing is not being commemorated officially, but Mr Chen had a message for the country whose forces carried out the slaughter.
"We hope that the Japanese government, especially those in the nationalist factions, will admit the truth in history and learn from the Germans," he told Reuters."We hope that the Japanese government, especially those in the nationalist factions, will admit the truth in history and learn from the Germans," he told Reuters.
Japan was not officially marking the anniversary "They should not cover up their crimes any more."Japan was not officially marking the anniversary "They should not cover up their crimes any more."
Japanese prime ministers have apologised for the country's former militarism, but, according to the BBC's Chris Hogg in Tokyo, there are fringe elements in Japan who get a lot of publicity for their repeated denials that Japan committed atrocities during its military campaigns in Asia.Japanese prime ministers have apologised for the country's former militarism, but, according to the BBC's Chris Hogg in Tokyo, there are fringe elements in Japan who get a lot of publicity for their repeated denials that Japan committed atrocities during its military campaigns in Asia.
Some even deny that the events in Nanjing ever took place and, our correspondent says, this frustrates mainstream historians who try to give a more balanced view of what happened during the assault on the city.Some even deny that the events in Nanjing ever took place and, our correspondent says, this frustrates mainstream historians who try to give a more balanced view of what happened during the assault on the city.
New discoveriesNew discoveries
Younger Japanese are frustrated, too, that their country is criticised still for events that took place more than half a century ago, he adds. Many know little about what went on in Nanjing and care even less.Younger Japanese are frustrated, too, that their country is criticised still for events that took place more than half a century ago, he adds. Many know little about what went on in Nanjing and care even less.
But although the killings took place seven decades ago, the memory is still fresh in many Chinese people's minds.But although the killings took place seven decades ago, the memory is still fresh in many Chinese people's minds.
The BBC's Michael Bristow in Nanjing says that is partly because in China, history is believed to be a guide to the future, but also because of continuing research into the atrocities.The BBC's Michael Bristow in Nanjing says that is partly because in China, history is believed to be a guide to the future, but also because of continuing research into the atrocities.
A new monument has just been unveiled to mark a previously unknown incident during the massacre in which 1,300 Chinese people died.A new monument has just been unveiled to mark a previously unknown incident during the massacre in which 1,300 Chinese people died.
That story came to light only because a Japanese researcher persuaded former soldiers to tell their stories.That story came to light only because a Japanese researcher persuaded former soldiers to tell their stories.