Today, on December 13, 2025, residents of Nanjing, in Jiangsu Province on the eastern Chinese mainland, came together to observe China's National Memorial Day. The annual ceremony honors the roughly 300,000 victims of the Nanjing Massacre and marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Since 2014, the national flag at the main memorial venue has been flown at half-mast each year. This morning, officials and citizens alike paused in silence under the half-masted flag, paying solemn tribute to those who lost their lives.
Across Nanjing, communities organized flower-laying, candlelight vigils, and educational events. Key gatherings included:
- A solemn ceremony at Zhengjue Temple beside the historic city wall
- Floral tributes at the Memorial Hall for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre
- Interactive exhibitions in schools and community centers highlighting survivor stories
For many young attendees, the day is a reminder of the importance of historical memory. A university student commented that laying white chrysanthemums at Zhengjue Temple felt like "a call to keep our collective memory alive."
As dusk fell, the city was united in reflection—an intergenerational dialogue on resilience, peace, and the lessons of history that continues to shape Nanjing and beyond.
Reference(s):
Nanjing residents pay tribute on China's National Memorial Day
cgtn.com
