This is the time of year when Nanjing readies itself for the darkest day on the city’s calendar. As every year, all of us will be affected to some degree, others more so, especially those living near to, or who might be passing by, the Nanjing Massacre Memorial in the coming days.
Next Tuesday, 13 December, shall mark 85 years since the Nanjing Massacre, the assault on the city by Japanese troops which is believed to have claimed 300,000 lives.
And so, each year, our city stages a solemn ceremony by way of respect for those who were abused and perished.
The national public memorial ceremony shall get under way at 10:00, as per the circular issued by the Nanjing Municipal People’s Government and reported by The Paper this morning.
The ceremony begins with the sounding of the city’s air-raid sirens. Those who were not in Nanjing previously on this day have no cause for alarm.
At this time, all those driving cars, trains or other means of transportation are expected to sound their vehicles’ horns. Those out in public are expected to stop and observe a 1-minute silence.
Those living in the vicinity should be aware that the streets surrounding the Nanjing Massacre Memorial shall be cordoned off, with access granted only to official vehicles. Bus services in the area shall also be rerouted in the arrangements that shall last from 07:00 to 13:00. The Yangtze Evening News has published a list of all the affected areas.
In addition, trains on Nanjing Metro Line 2 shall not be stopping at Yunjin Lu during the morning of the 13th.
Some 3 days prior, a rehearsal for the ceremony shall be conducted sometime on 10 December, for which the general public are requested to be cooperative with city authorities.
Also today came the news of the passing of another Nanjing Massacre survivor; Xiang Yuansong, who was 94. His passing brings the number of Nanjing Massacre survivors to just 54.
