Advertisement
China-Japan relations
ChinaPolitics

China marks Nanking massacre anniversary with warning against Japan’s militarism

Top Communist Party official says attempts to challenge post-war order are ‘doomed to failure’ as tensions with Tokyo flare

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
99+
Honour guards place floral tributes during a ceremony to mark the 88th anniversary of the Nanking massacre, in Nanjing in eastern China on Saturday. Photo: AFP
Yuanyue Dangin Beijing
A top official warned against moves to revive Japanese militarism as China held its annual national commemoration of the Nanking massacre amid tense ties with Tokyo.

Speaking at a memorial ceremony in the eastern city of Nanjing on Saturday, Shi Taifeng, head of the ruling Communist Party’s organisation department, said that any attempt to revive militarism, challenge the post-war international order or undermine global peace and stability was “doomed to failure”, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Shi, one of 23 members of the party’s elite Politburo, was the highest-ranking official to attend the 88th anniversary commemoration.
Advertisement

The memorial ceremony took place at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders.

At 10.01am, air raid sirens sounded across the city, with cars, trains and ships sounding their horns.

Advertisement
Presided over by Minister of Public Security and State Councillor Wang Xiaohong, the ceremony featured the address by Shi, who labelled the “indelible” Nanking massacre a “crime against humanity” and called for “promoting an accurate historical perspective on the second world war”.
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x