Mourning held in northeast China to commemorate martyrs

SHENYANG - A mourning service was held in Northeast China's Liaoning province to commemorate martyrs who died in their resistance against Japanese invasion.

This year marks the 88th anniversary of the September 18 Incident. On Sept 18, 1931, Japanese troops blew up a section of railway under its control near Shenyang, then accused Chinese troops of sabotage as a pretext for attack. They bombarded barracks near Shenyang the same evening, starting the bloody invasion.

The mourning service was held Friday in the Sept 18 Historical Museum in Shenyang, capital of Liaoning province. About 200 people attended the event, and laid flowers at a monument dedicated to the deceased.

Among the participants were some middle and primary school students, as the museum is a base for patriotic education.

"We have held such mourning services for 10 consecutive years," said deputy curator Zhang Yunfeng. "The public can join mourning activities by laying flowers at the site and donating books about the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression," he said, adding that online mourning services are also available.

An opera was also staged at the museum to depict the story of a heroine who fought fearlessly during the war.

"We hope the high spirit and characters of the martyrs can inspire people, so that the public can carry on the spirit of the heroes and work hard towards a better future," Zhang said.