September 3 marked the 78th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. In the morning, the Memorial Hall held an educational event at the Victory Park to mark the victory. Representatives of the descendants of Nanjing Massacre survivors, officers and soldiers from Unit 94994 of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), teenagers, Zijin Cao volunteers, and Memorial Hall staff members attended the event.

“Trumpet of Victory” Motivates the Public to Remember History and Become Stronger

The atmosphere was solemn and awe-inspiring at the Victory Park. The iron red Victory Wall symbolizes the great victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The black granite around the park is engraved with the names of the first batch of 300 famous individual heroes and heroic groups who sacrificed their lives to resist the Japanese aggression announced by the Ministry of Civil Affairs in 2014. They shed their blood to protect each inch of land in China. There was a heroic and moving story behind each name; a national spirit of never giving in was embodied in each loyal soul.

At 9:30, young trumpeters walked with a steady gait to the Victory Wall and sounded the “Trumpet of Victory” right in front of the wall, facing the sun and raising their head. The clarion call pierced through the sky. Standing in the spacious Victory Park, the attendees observed a respectful silence, with only sonorous and forceful musical sounds echoing in their heart. The exciting melody brought them back to the hard, bloody battles that finally led to the great victory of the Chinese people in their fight against Japanese aggression. At that moment, all the attendees listened to the sonorous melody together, gathering strength from the belief that “Justice will prevail! Peace will prevail! The people will prevail!” and entertaining an ambition of remembering history and striving to become stronger.

Flower Baskets Express Deep Mourning and Great Respect

At 9:35, in an imposing and deep melody, Memorial Hall staff members presented flower baskets to innocent victims who died during the Nanjing Massacre, Chinese compatriots cruelly killed by Japanese invaders, revolutionary martyrs and national heroes who sacrificed their lives for the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and international fighters and friends who laid down their lives in joining hands with the Chinese people to resist the Japanese invaders. Then representatives from all walks of life presented flowers one by one. Fragrant lilies and noble, unsullied yellow and white chrysanthemums showed their deep mourning and great respect for the dead.

The descendants of Nanjing Massacre survivors Chang Zhiqiang and Gong Denian took part in the event. Nanjing Massacre survivors are witnesses to history and play a significant role in protecting historical truth and educating future generations. Today as these survivors get older, their descendants have taken the baton from them to pass on historical memories. “Being here on this special day, I have a strong feeling about the hard-won peace. As a descendant of a Nanjing Massacre survivor, I will help more people learn about this history, and work to pass down historical memories about the massacre,” said Chang Xiaomei, a daughter of Chang Zhiqiang. 

Children’s Chorus Conveys Patriotism among Youth in the New Era

Right ahead of the Victory Wall, children from the Zijin Cao Art Troupe sang together a song, “My Motherland Has Me”. The song, launched by the National Permanent Standing Commission of the Chinese Young Pioneers, is a patriotic song that reflects the aspirations of young people and children in the new era to serve their country and work hard. The children’s chorus reverberated above the Victory Park. Through the melodious rhyme and beautiful voice, these young children growing up in the new era were proving their love for their country. 

Eleven-year-old Wu Shumian gazed at the conductor throughout the performance, full of determination and pride in her eyes, and sang out most sincere emotions towards her motherland in a clear, innocent voice. Wu is a student at Nanjing Lixue Primary School and this was the third time that she took part in an activity at the Memorial Hall. “In the process of singing, I realized what responsibility and mission teenagers in the new era shoulder. We must study hard and fight for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”

Wang Zhonglei, a 10-year-old student from Yecheng Road Primary School, High School Affiliated to Nanjing Normal University, couldn’t hold back his excitement. “A nation will be strong only when its young people are strong. We are the young people in the new era. We should turn our patriotic sentiment into motivation, cherish the chance to attend school and work hard to learn skills, so that we can contribute to our country when we grow up.” His father said visiting the Memorial Hall and revisiting the history of the Nanjing Massacre helps his child develop a positive outlook on the world and life as well as a right sense of values from a young age, and will ignite patriotism in him.

The song was followed by a poetry recitation at the Victory Park. The attendees recited The Trumpeter, a poem that portrayed the image of a trumpeter during the war of the Chinese people’s resistance against Japanese aggression. Written by Ai Qing, one of modern China’s most famous poets, the poem was created to praise the spirit of the Chinese nation that refused to yield and the Chinese people who defied brutal suppression.

Carrying Forward Spirit of Resisting Aggression, Forging Historical Memories

The war ended a long time ago, but the spirit of resisting aggression persists. While attending the solemn ceremony, the officers and soldiers of PLA Unit 94994 were immersed in history. They said they should learn about the history behind the Chinese people’s resistance against Japanese aggression and promote their great spirit, be loyal to their mission, and make unremitting efforts to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

At this moment, there would always be a kind of power that can resonate among all the attendees, regardless of their race and language. That is the longing for peace and justice. Six international volunteers from countries including Bangladesh, Ireland, and the Philippines also participated in the event. Na Fu, from Bangladesh, is pursuing a master’s degree at the College of International Students, Southeast University. During his three years of study in Nanjing, he spent some time learning about the history of the Nanjing Massacre. In his view, all the young people in the world should remember that history.