China's memorial days on Anti-Japanese War

On Monday, China marked the start of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression 77 years ago.

The following are memorial days related to the Anti-Japanese War in China which aim to remember the horror of a war, commemorate martyrs, cherish peace and sound a warning for the future:

-- July 7

The day was set to commemorate the start of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression each year.

The July 7 Incident in 1937 marked the beginning of China's eight-year War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression when Lugou Bridge, known as Marco Polo Bridge to Western people and a crucial access point to Beijing, was attacked by Japanese troops.

Japan invaded northeast China in September 1931. But historians agree that Japan's full-scale invasion started in 1937 with the July 7 Incident.

-- Aug 15

On Aug 15, 1945, former Japanese Emperor Hirohito announced in a radio address that the country would surrender to the Allies, marking the end of China's War Against Japanese Aggression, as well as World War II.

Though it is not an official memorial day, Chinese nationwide usually hold anti-war activities and commemorate those who died in the war on this day to mark the anniversary of Japan's World War II surrender.

-- Sept 3

After the foundation of the People's Republic of China, the central government designated Sept 3, the day after the Japanese government officially surrendered on Sept 2, 1945, as Victory Day.

In February this year, the day was set through legislative procedures as the Victory Day of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

The top legislature said in a decision that the country will hold national memorial activities on this day every year.

-- Sept 18

On Sept 18, 1931, Japanese troops blew up a section of the railway under its control near Shenyang in northeast China, then accused Chinese troops of sabotage as a pretext for attack, beginning the invasion of northeast China and 14 years of war.

Sirens usually sound on this day across China to observe the anniversary of the Japanese invasion, aiming to warn people not to forget the past and be vigilant in times of peace.

-- Dec 13

China's top legislature decided to set Dec 13 as the National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims in February this year to mourn Nanjing Massacre victims and all those killed by Japanese invaders.

On Dec 13, 1937, Japanese aggressors began a campaign of murder against Chinese in Nanjing that was to last more than 40 days, with the "Nanjing Massacre" shocking the world. More than 300,000 people were killed.