|
| Photo taken on Dec 13, 2015 shows the scene of state ceremony for China's second National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims at the memorial hall for the massacre victims in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu province. (Photo / Xinhua) |
The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council held a memorial for Nanjing Massacre victims in the eastern city of Nanjing Sunday.
Li Jianguo, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, attended the event.
China and Japan have long sparred over their painful history, but the neighbours have been moving to improve ties long overshadowed by their painful history. Last month, China, Japan and South Korea held their first three-way summit in three years.
Soldiers placed large wreaths in front of the main memorial as funereal music played, in images carried live on state television.
Speaking in front of hundreds of soldiers, veterans and school children at the Nanjing Massacre memorial, Li said China would never let anybody deny the crimes of invaders.
China was holding the memorial not to prolong hate but to help forge a more peaceful future, he said.
"At the same time, we just resolutely oppose anyone who tries to beautify the war of aggression or tries to drive back on history," Li said.
Doves to signify peace flew overhead once Li, wearing a white flower on his lapel to signify mourning, finished speaking.
In September, President Xi oversaw a big military parade in Beijing to mark 70 years since the end of World War II.
