On December 13, 2025, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government converged with officials, veterans, and community leaders for a solemn ceremony marking the 88th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre. Chief Executive of the HKSAR John Lee and Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Zhou Ji led the observance, joined by principal officials, Executive Council members, HKSAR deputies to the National People's Congress, HKSAR members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, former members of the Hong Kong-Kowloon Independent Brigade of the East River Column, and representatives of veteran groups.
The ceremony opened with China's national anthem and a moment of silence. Chief Executive John Lee then laid a wreath at the memorial to honor the estimated 300,000 civilians and unarmed soldiers who perished in Nanjing over six weeks after the Japanese Imperial Army captured the city in the eastern Chinese mainland on December 13, 1937.
In 2014, the National People's Congress designated December 13 as the national memorial day for Nanjing Massacre victims, and since then the HKSAR government and local organizations have held annual remembrance events. This year's ceremony in Hong Kong underscored the importance of historical education and collective memory in preventing future atrocities.
For young global citizens and history enthusiasts, the annual commemoration serves as a reminder of the resilience of communities and the need to uphold human rights worldwide. Reflecting on the past empowers us to learn vital lessons and foster unity across cultures.
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HKSAR government holds commemoration for Nanjing Massacre victims
cgtn.com
