Books published to mourn massacre victims

The latest research on the Nanjing Massacre and books documenting its history were recently presented in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, which serve as a collective expression of remembrance and a commitment to peace.

According to Zhou Feng, curator of the Memorial Hall for the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, more than 10 books on the Nanjing Massacre were recently published, and the books cover various aspects such as basic research, social education and international communication.

On Dec 13, 1937, Japanese invaders captured Nanjing and killed more than 300,000 civilians and unarmed soldiers over six weeks.

Some of the newly released books, presented by the memorial hall, include The Diary of John Rabe: The Enemy Planes Over Nanjing (Complete Translation), The Diary of John Rabe (Youth Edition) and the updated version of The Judgment of the Far Eastern International Military Tribunal.

The Diary of John Rabe (Youth Edition) is based on a 1997 single-volume edition of Rabe's diary.

John Rabe was a German businessman who risked his life to save more than 200,000 Chinese during the massacre.

While the violent descriptions have been condensed, the book includes hand-drawn illustrations by Rabe, historical pictures and introductions by the translator and are designed with readable fonts and come with dedicated bookmarks, making them more suitable for the youth.

According to Dai Yiliang, deputy chief editor of Jiangsu People's Publishing House, which published The Diary of John Rabe: The Enemy Planes Over Nanjing, this book is considered the most comprehensive Chinese edition of Rabe's diary to date.

The compilation presents historical materials related to the Nanjing Massacre and is comprised of six volumes and eight books. It incorporates diary entries and gathered materials from Sept 21, 1937, to Feb 26, 1938, written by John Rabe.

"The book includes additional news reports collected by Rabe from various parts of the world, which provide detailed accounts of the atrocities committed during the Nanjing Massacre," Dai said.

"Rabe's report on the fall of Nanjing, submitted to the German government upon his return to his home country, is also included."

The new edition of The Judgment of the Far Eastern International Military Tribunal is the latest achievement in the study of the Tokyo Trials, according to Cheng Zhaoqi, a professor from Shanghai Jiao Tong University. He said that the judgment holds essential significance in defining Japan's aggression and that the book, which offers the Chinese version of the judgment, is of great value in establishing the legal conclusions regarding the Nanjing Massacre.

On Wednesday, a national memorial ceremony will be held at the hall to commemorate the 86th anniversary of the massacre and to mourn the victims.