On Saturday evening, a group of people, including those from government departments, enterprises and schools, visited the monument for the compatriots murdered in the massacre.

 

Holding candles and chrysanthemums, they stood in silent tribute, and then put

On December 13, 1937, Japanese troops invaded Nanjing and killed more than 300,000 Chinese, most of them civilians and many of them women and children.

 

On Saturday evening, Nanjing residents paid tribute to those who died at the monument erected in their memory with a candlelight ceremony, placing chrysanthemums -- the traditional flower of mourning -- at the foot of the stone.

 

On Sunday morning, crowds of people visited the Nanjing Memorial Hall of Compatriots Murdered in the Nanjing Massacre.

 

Many were students. A group from Nanjing University read poems they had written, mourning the dead and praying for world peace.

 

From 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM, a special ceremony was held for the survivors of the massacre.

 

Xia Shuqin, Luo Zhongxiang and others accepted certificates from the Nanjing Massacre Survivors' Association on behalf of 179 survivors. The certificates entitle the holders to various forms of assistance.

 

The memorial hall's new website, www.nj1937.org, was also officially launched.

 

Wu Jing, of the city information office, said, "The government will hold a solemn commemorative ceremony Monday and ring the alarm as we do every anniversary.''

 

(China Daily December 12, 2004)