Vigil held to commemorate Nanjing Massacre  

南京举行烛光祭悼念南京大屠杀遇难同胞(组图)

12日20时，侵华日军南京大屠杀遇难同胞纪念馆祭场举行了“为南京大屠杀遇难者守灵仪式暨和平烛光祭”活动。3000支红烛在风中摇曳，来自各个国家和地区的百名友人来此为南京大屠杀遇难同胞秉烛守灵。

Nanjing (CNS) -- A candlelight vigil for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre was held Wednesday night in the city where the tragedy took place in 1937.

Mourners gathered at the "Memorial Hall of the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders" and lit candles to commemorate the 300,000 Chinese killed. Japanese and Chinese monks also chanted mantras for the victims.

Zhu Chengshan, curator of the memorial hall, said people came from around the world to mourn the dead and pray for lasting peace.

Thursday marks the 75th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre and a series of memorial activities will be held. Anniversary vigils have been held at the memorial hall every year since 2009.