The Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders [Xinhua]

China has observed the 80th anniversary of Nanjing massacre in the memory of those killed by the Japanese invading army about eight decades ago.

The day is observed with reverence since the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress in 2014 designated December 13 as the “National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims.”

President Xi Jinping attended the state memorial ceremonyin the eastern city.The participants apart from the high officials also included ordinary citizen as well as relatives of the victims. They stood in silence for one minute to pay tribute to the departed souls.

According to Chinese account, the Japanese Imperial Army started campaign for occupation of northeast China in 1931. The imperial army captured Nanjing,China's capital at that time, on December 13, 1937, and then embarked on a ruthless campaign of slaughter.

China says that the orgy of death went on for more than 40 days and about 300,000 civilians and unarmed soldiers were put to death. Gross human rights violations were committed,as more than 20,000 women were raped.

The crimes committed by the invaders were against all tenets of international law, local customs and universal standards of morality. For example, thousands of soldiers who had surrendered were killed in cold blood. It all happened when Japan had already signed the 1929 Geneva Convention on the treatment of prisoners of war, although not ratified it. 

A number of people in plainclothes were captured on suspicion of being former soldiers and put to death. They deserved better treatment even if they were former soldiers once they had abandoned military service and settled into civilian life.   

Another part of highhandedness was the arbitrary arrest and designation of people as soldiers. Those arrested were thoroughly examined for marks on forehead caused by the wearing ofmilitary headgear and shoulders for carrying rifles, and cropped hairstyle to determine their military status. 

The victimization of civilians, especially systematic rape, was even more abominable. Women aged 15-40 years were more vulnerable, but even females of tender and advance age groups were violated. Similarly, young men considered as potential future soldiers were also targeted.   

There is historical evidence to support the gross excesses committed by the imperial army. The findings of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East and the Nanjing War Crimes Tribunal both confirm the claims.

It is pity that efforts were made to cover up the massacre after Japan surrendered in 1945, and, ever since, it has been trying to play down the crimes. It should have accepted the brutal treatment it inflicted on other nations during war and expressed apology. It could have helped to improve ties with neighbors. 

The massacre of people at Nanjing highlights the brutal and ugly face of war. By remembering the victims of this senseless genocide, we not only condemn those who perpetrated the crime against humanity but also express commitment with the international covenantsoutlawing such inhuman practices. 

The Nanjing mass killings also remind us about the dangers linked with the institution of war. Despite movement towards a better understanding of human rights, war-mongers are still powerful and pose a grave threat. 

The number of people killed in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria prove this point. We should not only condemn massacres of the past but also show commitment to uphold human values. 

Modern advances in weaponry have put the world on a slippery slope. In the past, massacres were limited in terms of numbers of area. But latest armament and allied warfare technologies could easily lead to apocalypse and demise of human species. 

It is with this spirit that the Nanjing massacre and all other such killingsshould be remembered as they help to renew commitment for peace and love of humanity. Conflicts should be avoided because they create a situation for mass hatred towards vulnerable people, like the genocide of the Jews by Nazi Germany. 

The point is that conflicts and war crimes are abominable and unless we learn to undo the war machine and try to live in peace, humanity will never be entirely free of death and destruction. The idea of “win-win cooperation” is a good alternative for competition that leads to armed confrontations. 

Sajjad Malik is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/SajjadMalik.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.

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