SHENYANG, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) — Shenyang, capital of northeast China’s Liaoning Province, resounded with wailing air-raid sirens and automobile horns on Sunday, the 91st anniversary of the September 18 Incident that marked the beginning of Japan’s invasion of China.
As the sirens howled within the metropolis, pedestrians stood in silent tribute, and automobiles honked. Since 1995, Shenyang has sounded the air-raid alarm on this event to commemorate the September 18 Incident for 28 years in a row.
At the 9.18 Historical Museum, practically 300 folks from all walks of life gathered and held a ceremony to commemorate the September 18 Incident and the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
Flanked by the distinction guards of the People’s Liberation Army, 14 representatives from numerous sectors struck an enormous bell 14 instances at round 9:18 a.m. in commemoration of the 14-year-long bitter warfare in opposition to Japanese invaders.
On Sept. 18, 1931, Japanese troops blew up a bit of railway beneath their management close to Shenyang and accused Chinese troops of sabotage as a pretext for the assault. Later that night time, they bombarded barracks close to Shenyang.
Just 3 km from the museum lies the Beidaying (Northern Grand Barracks) website that the Japanese troops bombarded. It formally reopened to guests as an exhibition corridor after renovations on the finish of final yr.
“The site is like an indelible deep scar left by the Japanese invaders, which the Chinese people will never forget,” mentioned Jing Shaofu, former curator of the town archives.
Wang Cheng, a taxi driver, pulled over and honked the horn to pay tribute. “I stop my work to honk every year. That’s my way of remembering history.”
To the echoes of sirens and the tolling of the bell, Chen Jiale, a highschool pupil, stood straight and gazed on the calendar-shaped September 18 Incident monument on the 9.18 Historical Museum.
“Like our parents and grandparents, our generation will never forget the history,” mentioned Chen.
Other Chinese cities together with Chengdu, Nanchang and Nanjing additionally sounded sirens as a reminder for folks to remain alert in instances of peace.