(ECNS) -- Shanghai police have placed a man under administrative detention because he reportedly cursed and insulted victims of the Nanjing Massacre in an online chat group.
The 35-year-old exchanged angry words with someone in a group on China's most popular messenger app WeChat before hurling abuse towards victims of Japan's brutality in Nanjing City in 1937.
He reportedly said “it's too little that only 300,000 people were killed” and he continued arguing with members who criticized him in the group with over 400 members at 9:30 am, Feb. 22.
After being tipped about the verbal brawl at 5:30, the Yangpu branch of Shanghai Police launched an investigation and later detained the man, only identified by the name Meng, according to a police statement.
Meng was sentenced on the next day to serve an administrative detention term of five days.
Shanghai police also said "out of personal grudges, Meng has hurt the patriotic feelings of people and had a bad influence on society," adding that the man has reflected on and repented for his behavior.
The Internet is not a lawless world, national dignity shall not be trampled upon, and no one is allowed to violate the law, said the statement.
Japanese troops captured Nanjing on Dec. 13, 1937 and started a 40-odd-day rampage. About 300,000 civilians and unarmed Chinese soldiers were brutally murdered. More than 20,000 women were raped.