At 9:00 a.m. this morning,in front of the photo wall of Nanjing Massacre survivors,we held a light-dimming ceremony to pay tribute to four survivors who passed away since the beginning of this year:Ai Yiying, Wu Xiuying, Yi Lanying, and Tao Chengyi.

Ai Yiying passed away on January 9 at the age of 97,Wu Xiuying passed away on January 10 at the age of 92,Yi Lanying passed away on February 15 at the age of 99,and Tao Chengyi passed away on February 15 at the age of 89.

The photos of the four deceased survivors gradually faded from color to black and white,as four illuminated panels slowly dimmed.All attendees held white chrysanthemums,stood with solemn expressions,and bowed three times before their portraits.

Ai Yiying’s son, Huang Xinghua, and her grandson, Huang Rui,often accompanied her to events at the Memorial Hall.Both are also designated as Historical Memory Inheritors of the Nanjing Massacre。

Huang Rui stated:“Ever since I can remember, my grandmother often told me about her experiences in 1937. She witnessed her relatives being killed by Japanese army, leaving only orphans and widows in the Ai family. Whenever she recalled those painful memories, she would choke with emotion, tears streaming down her face. She dedicated herself to revealing the truth of history. She often told us to remember the suffering our family endured during the Nanjing Massacre, and to do our best to contribute to our country.

Now, my father and I have taken up the baton of preserving this historical memory. I will honor my grandmother’s wishes, passing down her memories of blood and tears from generation to generation, so that more people can know the truth of history, and ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated.This is the best way to pay tribute to the victims and the most powerful action in defense of peace.”

Tao Chengyi’s son donated two medals that his father received during his lifetime:the Medal of Merit for “Devotion to National Defense Science and Technology” and the “50-Year Party Membership” Commemorative Badge,to the Memorial Hall.

Mr. Tao said:“Although my father was an ordinary employee, he was always conscientious and responsible in his work. He often spoke to us about the history of the Nanjing Massacre. We will always miss him.”

Li Shichun, the son of Yi Lanying, said:“Seeing my mother’s light extinguished, I was overwhelmed with emotions that words cannot express.During the Nanjing Massacre, my mother witnessed the Japanese army slaughtering Chinese civilians. That experience left a deep and lasting scar on her. Though she is gone, her name will forever remain in history. We must continue to pass on the historical truth of the Nanjing Massacre, it is both a tribute to her and a source of comfort.”

Luo Sijun, the son of Wu Xiuying, said:“My mother carried the memories of the Nanjing Massacre for her entire life and spent her life telling its story. Before her passing, she was committed to spreading the historical truth—often visiting schools and communities to share her personal experiences. As descendants of survivors, we have a responsibility to pass on this history to future generations and to society.”

As of now, the average age of registered living survivors is nearly 95. The baton of historical memory inheritance has been passed to the hands of the survivors’ descendants.

Though the lights of these elders have dimmed,they have transformed into stars in the sky,forever accompanying us.