Two survivors of the Nanjing Massacre died this weekend, with the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders confirming only 28 registered survivors remain. Their firsthand accounts of the 1937 atrocities serve as living reminders of wartime brutality and resilience.
Yi Lanying, 99, endured lifelong trauma after witnessing Japanese soldiers murder a young man during breakfast and abduct dozens of others. Her family shared how panic attacks and heart conditions haunted her, driven by memories of the invasion. 'I hope future generations never forget,' she often said.
Tao Chengyi, 89, lost his father, uncle, and cousin to Japanese troops. His childhood collapsed after the killings, forcing his mother to sustain their family through small businesses. 'The war destroyed my youth,' he recalled in interviews.
Historical records show Japanese forces killed approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers during the six-week massacre after seizing Nanjing in 1937. China established December 13 as a national memorial day in 2014 to honor victims and promote historical awareness.
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Deaths of 2 Nanjing Massacre survivors leave just 28 living witnesses
cgtn.com
