As China's national memorial day for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre approaches this Saturday, December 13, 2025, a new photo series by CGTN shines a light on the dark legacy of Japan's wartime aggression. Through powerful images, the series recalls not only the horrors of 1937 but also the lingering hazards of abandoned chemical weapons left behind across the Chinese mainland.
During World War II, Japanese military forces deployed chemical agents in attacks on Chinese cities and battlefields. Historians estimate that thousands of tons of chemical munitions were abandoned when Japanese troops withdrew in 1945. Decades later, these buried munitions still pose environmental and public safety risks in regions from Hebei to Jiangsu.
Since the 1990s, China and Japan have cooperated on disposal efforts under bilateral agreements. To date, joint operations have neutralized a significant portion of these obsolete weapons. Yet experts warn that many caches remain unexplored and that timely action is essential to prevent accidents and preserve the peace hard won over seven decades ago.
As the photo series urges reflection on history, it also raises a pressing question: when will Japan fulfill the final steps to dispose its abandoned chemical weapons in China? For young global citizens, entrepreneurs, and changemakers, the answer matters. It is a measure of how we honor victims of past violence and safeguard peace for the future.
Remembering history is not just looking back. It is about learning lessons, pushing for accountability, and remaining vigilant against any resurgence of militarism. With the Nanjing memorial day nearly here, voices worldwide are calling on Japan to complete its obligations and help close this chapter of wartime legacy.
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Remembering history: When will Japan dispose its ACWs in China?
cgtn.com
