HK to commemorate China's victory of anti-Japanese aggression

HONG KONG - The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) announced Tuesday that starting from this year, official ceremonies will be held every year to commemorate the victory of the Chinese people's war of resistance against Japanese aggression and victims who died in the Nanjing Massacre respectively.

Earlier this year, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress designated Sept 3 and Dec 13 as the Victory Day of the Chinese people's war of resistance against Japanese aggression and Nanjing Massacre Memorial Day respectively.

Commemorative activities will be held on Sept 3 every year to recall the resistance against Japanese aggression and pay tribute to those who died in or made contributions to the Chinese people's war of resistance against Japanese aggression, while memorial activities will be held on Dec 13 to commemorate victims who died in the Nanjing Massacre and those who were killed during the Japanese invasion. They will also express the resolve of the Chinese people in safeguarding national sovereignty, territorial integrity and world peace.

On Sept 3, the HKSAR government will hold a ceremony at the City Hall Memorial Garden to mark the victory of the Chinese people's war of resistance against Japanese aggression. The Chief Executive, senior government officials, judicial officers, members of the Legislative Council, representatives of war veteran groups and members of the community will attend the ceremony. The ceremony will include singing of the national anthem, a gun salute, silence in mourning and wreath laying.

The government will also hold a memorial ceremony on Nanjing Massacre Memorial Day on Dec 13, with details announced later.

In addition, the government will continue to hold the ceremony to commemorate those who died in the defence of Hong Kong on the Chung Yeung Festival, which is on Oct 2 this year.