A bell-ringing ceremony is held to mark the 89th anniversary of the September 18 Incident in front of a monument at the September 18 Incident History Museum in Shenyang, Northeast China's Liaoning province, Sept 18, 2020. People here commemorate the 89th anniversary of September 18 Incident, which marked the outbreak of Japan's large-scale invasion of China. [Photo/Xinhua]
Bells pealed and sirens wailed on Friday at the September 18th Historical Museum in Shenyang, Liaoning province, as part of the national activities to remember the outbreak 89 years ago of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45).
Representatives from 14 cities in Liaoning struck the bell 14 times, marking the 14 years of the war. Present were hundreds of representatives from all walks of life, including students, veterans and soldiers.
A bell-ringing ceremony is held to mark the 89th anniversary of the September 18 Incident in front of a monument at the September 18 Incident History Museum in Shenyang, Northeast China's Liaoning province, Sept 18, 2020. People here commemorate the 89th anniversary of September 18 Incident, which marked the outbreak of Japan's large-scale invasion of China. [Photo/Xinhua]
Sichuan province and Beijing also simultaneously sounded sirens for three minutes to mark the Sept 18 Incident.
Vehicles stopped and drivers honked their horns to remember a dark day in the country's history.
"Today we hold the memorial ceremony to mourn the martyrs of the anti-invasion war and all compatriots who sacrificed their lives for our country. To remember history is to build our country today and realize the Chinese dream," said Zhang Guoqing, Party chief of Liaoning.
A bell-ringing ceremony is held to mark the 89th anniversary of the September 18 Incident in front of a monument at the September 18 Incident History Museum in Shenyang, Northeast China's Liaoning province, Sept 18, 2020. People here commemorate the 89th anniversary of September 18 Incident, which marked the outbreak of Japan's large-scale invasion of China. [Photo/Xinhua]
On Sept 18, 1931, members of the Japanese Kwantung Army blew up a section of the railway near Liutiaohu and falsely accused the Chinese military of the act.
Using the incident as a pretext, the Japanese bombarded Shenyang and launched a full-scale invasion of Northeast China.
As many as 35 million Chinese were killed or wounded by invading Japanese troops between 1931 and 1945.
A bell-ringing ceremony is held to mark the 89th anniversary of the September 18 Incident in front of a monument at the September 18 Incident History Museum in Shenyang, Northeast China's Liaoning province, Sept 18, 2020. People here commemorate the 89th anniversary of September 18 Incident, which marked the outbreak of Japan's large-scale invasion of China. [Photo/Xinhua]
"To remember history is not to remember hatred. We want to pay tribute to martyrs who form the backbone of our nation. Through this ceremony, we want to call for world peace," said Fan Lihong, director of the history museum.
Craig Hoehne, whose grandfather, an Australian soldier, was captured by Japanese troops during World War II, shared the story of how Australians were imprisoned in POW camps in Shenyang.
"I want to express respect to those who sacrificed for peace. Not unlike the Chinese historical narrative, this history is also etched deeply into the national psyche of Australians. The phrase used to commemorate those sacrificed in the defense of their nation is 'Lest we forget'－meaning "may it never be forgotten", he said.
A citizen observes a moment of silence to the sound of sirens to mark the 89th anniversary of the September 18 Incident in Shenyang, Northeast China's Liaoning province, Sept 18, 2020. People here commemorate the 89th anniversary of September 18 Incident, which marked the outbreak of Japan's large-scale invasion of China. [Photo/Xinhua]
Many museums across the country have participated in the commemorative activities this year, and people around the country have also carried out online memorial activities, said Fan.
Wu Man, a student at Dalian Maritime University, said: "Only when the country is strong, the people will have dignity. And only when the youth are strong can the country have a future!"
Xu Weiqi in Shenyang contributed to this story.
A traffic police officer observes a moment of silence to the sound of sirens to mark the 89th anniversary of the September 18 Incident in Shenyang, Northeast China's Liaoning province, Sept 18, 2020. People here commemorate the 89th anniversary of September 18 Incident, which marked the outbreak of Japan's large-scale invasion of China. [Photo/Xinhua]
People observe a moment of silence during a ceremony marking the 89th anniversary of the September 18 Incident at the Palace Museum of the Manchurian Regime in Changchun, Northeast China's Jilin province, Sept 18, 2020. The September 18 Incident, which happened on Sept 18, 1931, marked the outbreak of Japan's large-scale invasion of China. [Photo/Xinhua]
An opera is staged to mark the 89th anniversary of the September 18 Incident at the Palace Museum of the Manchurian Regime in Changchun, Northeast China's Jilin province, Sept 18, 2020. The September 18 Incident, which happened on Sept 18, 1931, marked the outbreak of Japan's large-scale invasion of China. [Photo/Xinhua]
A student writes down her name during a ceremony marking the 89th anniversary of the September 18 Incident at the Palace Museum of the Manchurian Regime in Changchun, Northeast China's Jilin province, Sept 18, 2020. The September 18 Incident, which happened on Sept 18, 1931, marked the outbreak of Japan's large-scale invasion of China. [Photo/Xinhua]
People visit the Memorial Hall of the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu province, Sept 18, 2020. People from Nanjing and other places commemorated the 89th anniversary of September 18 Incident, which marked the outbreak of Japan's large-scale invasion of China. [Photo/Xinhua]
