Survivors of the Nanjing Massacre: Preserving the Historical Truth
By China News Service Correspondent Zhu Xiaoying
At the Memorial Hall for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre by the Japanese Invaders, survivors of the Nanjing Massacre, including Xia Shuqin, Ai Yiying, and Liu Minsheng, gathered for a family memorial service on December 3. As the number of survivors dwindles with time, these individuals are committed to preserving the memory of this tragic event.
As Xia Shuqin paid tribute to her family members who perished in the massacre, memories of the brutal atrocities committed by the Japanese army resurfaced. The pain still lingers, even after 86 years since the tragic event. Xia Shuqin, whose family bore the brunt of the violence, has dedicated her life to ensuring the historical truth of the Nanjing Massacre is preserved.
Despite the emotional toll of recounting their experiences, survivors like Xia Shuqin have continued to share their stories, whether through testimony, historical materials, or public appearances. Their unwavering commitment to peace and justice serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of remembering this dark chapter in history.
Through initiatives like the “Memory Inheritance Action for Descendants of Nanjing Massacre Survivors,” the descendants of survivors are actively involved in passing on their family’s stories to future generations. This collective effort helps ensure that the memory of the Nanjing Massacre lives on and that the lessons learned from this tragic event continue to resonate with people around the world.
For survivors like Xia Shuqin, peace is the ultimate goal. Their determination to preserve the historical truth of the Nanjing Massacre underscores the profound impact of their experiences and serves as a powerful call for peace and reconciliation.
China News Service, Nanjing, December 3: Title: Survivors of the Nanjing Massacre: Consecrate their lives to convey the historical truth
China News Service Correspondent Zhu Xiaoying
“I’m sorry I couldn’t come to Tomb Sweeping Day this year. I’m here to see you today. As long as I can still move, I’ll do my best…” On the 3rd, in the Hall Memorial to the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre by the Japanese Invaders (referred to as the “Memorial Hall”)), Xia Shuqin, a survivor of the Nanjing Massacre, walked to the wall with a list of victims and chanted the names of the family members who died on the a wall
The warm winter sun shines on this old man named Kunbei who has gone through many hardships. During the family memorial service for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre that day, she rose from her seat trembling, took her daughter, granddaughter, and great-grandson to the wall of the list of victims, and paid tribute to those who suffered the tragedy Nanjing Massacre The victims presented flowers and bowed deeply. At the ceremony, Zhou Feng, deputy director of the Propaganda Department of the Nanjing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China and director of the memorial hall, noted the list of victims.
On 3 December, a memorial service for the families of the victims of the Nanjing Massacre was held at the Memorial Hall for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre by the Japanese Invaders. Xia Shuqin wiped away tears during the event. Photo by Yang Bo
A reporter from China News Service noticed that only three survivors, Xia Shuqin, Ai Yiying, and Liu Minsheng, attended the family memorial event that day. As time goes by, fewer and fewer elderly people can usually participate in family memorial activities. Currently, there are only 38 registered survivors of the Nanjing Massacre.
2023 marks the 86th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre. In the winter 86 years ago, the Japanese invaders burned, killed, looted, and killed many people in Nanjing, destroying all life. Seven of the nine members of Xia Shuqin’s family were brutally murdered by the Japanese army. Xia Shuqin, who was only 8 years old at the time, and her 4-year-old sister Xia Shuyun survived by luck. Xia Shuqin was stabbed by a Japanese soldier with a bayonet, she bled profusely and still has scars on her body.
Xia Shuqin has been fighting for the truth of history for decades. In 1994, 65-year-old Xia Shuqin went to Japan and was the first post-war survivor to go to Japan to denounce the atrocities of the Nanjing Massacre. In 2006, because a right-wing Japanese writer had slandered him as a “false witness”, the then 77-year-old man went to Japan to respond strongly and the other party refused to sue for breach of his reputational rights. . ultimately successful.
On December 3, Xia Shuqin and her family laid flowers for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre. Photo by Yang Bo
Like her, many survivors have gone to Japan to participate in evidence gatherings and to testify to history; some have given speeches across China, telling future generations not to forget the national humiliation and face the future; some insist on collecting and organizing special “family heirlooms” historical materials and writing; Some opened accounts on new media platforms to tell young people how important and difficult peace is by exposing their own scars. Every time they tell their personal experiences, many of them will suffer from insomnia, cry bitterly, and feel depressed at night. However, everyone chooses to continue.
“Why is the Nanjing Massacre so painful for the whole world?” “What is the relationship between the Nanjing Massacre and people today?” They have been answering these questions from the point of view of witnesses and living witnesses; throughout their lives, they will Achieve historical truth is considered a mission and responsibility.
On 3 December, a memorial service was held for the families of the victims of the Nanjing Massacre at the Memorial Hall for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre by the Japanese Invaders. Photo by Yang Bo
Since the launch of the “Memory Inheritance Action for Descendants of Nanjing Massacre Survivors”, descendants of survivors pass on this tragic memory of their family, country and world from generation to generation. Through a large number of books, oral narratives, and digital imaging materials, their family’s story is being seen, heard, understood, and passed on to more and more peace-loving people around the world.
“Peace, peace, peace, we must have peace!” Xia Shuqin would emphasize this to the media every time he went to the memorial hall, and this time was no exception. He said: “This is my biggest wish in my life.” (End)
#Survivors #Nanjing #Massacre #Consecrate #lives #convey #historical #truth #China #News
