Memory stronger than time: 95 years since the start of China's War of Resistance
History is not just dates and events but lessons we are obliged to remember so as not to repeat the mistakes of the past. The peace won at the cost of enormous sacrifice is fragile, and its preservation requires not only memory but also the responsibility of every generation.
On Friday in Shenyang, northeast China, a ceremony was held to mark the 95th anniversary of the September 18 Incident. Participants stated that history must be remembered and the hard-won peace cherished. The September 18 Incident marked the beginning of Japan's invasion of China in 1931. The morning bell-ringing ceremony took place in front of the monument at the September 18 Historical Museum in Shenyang, Liaoning Province. The bell was struck 14 times, symbolising the 14 years of struggle of the Chinese people against Japanese aggressors. At 09:18, for three minutes, air-raid sirens sounded simultaneously in all cities of Liaoning Province, reminding the population to remember history and cherish peace.
"Participating in today's bell-ringing and siren ceremony, I was deeply shaken and sobered. As young people of a new era, we must remember history and carry on the great spirit of the War of Resistance. We must turn our patriotism into motivation for study and self-improvement, develop solid skills through practical efforts and contribute to the development of our country," said Shen Linjun, a local schoolboy. "Participating in today's bell-ringing and siren ceremony, I was deeply moved. As employees of the September 18 Historical Museum, our duty is to protect historical truth and faithfully convey the facts of the War of Resistance to the public. I also hope that more young people will visit the museum, understand the past through its artefacts and historical materials, face history directly and carry on the great spirit of the War of Resistance," said Yang Yanxun, a museum employee. "Remembering history is not about perpetuating hatred but about clearly understanding history. As ordinary citizens, we should do our work well, live a measured life, build our country, making it stronger, and protect this hard-won peace," said Jin Xuedong, a resident of Shenyang.
On September 18, 1931, Japanese troops blew up a section of railway near Shenyang under their control and accused Chinese troops of sabotage, which served as a pretext for subsequent aggression against China. The September 18 Incident and the subsequent Chinese resistance marked the beginning of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese aggression, which became an important part of the World Anti-Fascist War. During the War of Resistance, which lasted until 1945, China suffered a total of 35 million military and civilian casualties, accounting for one third of the total casualties of all countries in World War II.
As reported by CCTV+, the ceremony in Shenyang was not only a tribute to the victims but also a reminder of the value of peace. The bell and sirens that sounded across the province symbolise the continuity of memory and the determination to build a future without wars.
