A collection of pictures of the July 7th Incident in 1937 was launched Saturday at the Memorial Hall of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Beijing.

The historical research was carried out by staff from the memorial hall. The collection provides more than 200 invaluable pictures and additional material with explanations in Chinese, English, and Japanese.

Experts say that the pictures show the true sequence of events in the July 7th Incident and is an achievement for staff. The display shows the aggression of Japanese military was premeditated.

The pictures also clearly show the Communist Party of China's unbending spirit and firm resolution to unite all the Chinese people to fight against the Japanese invaders and protect their motherland.

An exhibition of Chinese living overseas and the anti-Japanese war was held at the same time at the hall. A total of 170 historic photographs were on display to show the great contribution and sacrifice made by overseas Chinese during the war, and to praise highly the determination of the whole Chinese nation to fight for world peace and justice for all people.

Other activities were also organized. People from all walks of life presented flowers to the national heroes and their compatriots killed by the Japanese invaders who attempted to annex China and its people.

On July 7, 1937, Japanese troops following their occupation of northeast China started the so-called "Lugouqiao (Marco Polo Bridge) Incident" in southwest Beijing. The July 7th Incident signaled the start of the Chinese people's eight-year national anti-Japanese war, which caused the death of 35 million Chinese.

Several years earlier, on September 18, 1931, Japanese troops were responsible for another incident which started the full scale invasion of northeast China.

The memorial hall is located beside the Lugou Bridge and has an area of 10,300 square meters.

(Xinhua News Agency July 7, 2002)