China publishes historical series on Nanjing Massacre

NANJING—A 27-volume series of historical materials on the Nanjing Massacre, in which more than 300,000 Chinese were slaughtered by Japanese invading troops in 1937, was issued here Monday.
In addition to the first 28 volumes that came out in 2005, the 27 new volumes consist of many first-hand historical documents and records, such as U.S. news reports, diaries and official circulars of Japanese troops, diplomatic letters from the British and German governments, lists of casualties and economic losses, and signatures of over 600 Chinese civilians seeking refuge against the atrocity committed by the Imperial Japanese Army from December 1937 to January 1938.
Since 2000, more than 70 Chinese historians from universities and government archive departments have visited Japan, Britain, the United States, Germany and Taiwan, compiling and translating nearly 30 million words of original materials in different languages, which led to the production of a total of 55 volumes in the series.
“It is a combination of Chinese, Japanese and Western raw materials, which is objective and just and is able to stand the trial of history,” said Zhang Xianwen, editor in chief of the compilation, at Monday’s issuance ceremony in Nanjing, capital of east China’s Jiangsu Province. Many of the materials are published for the first time and have great historical value. “Everyone who reads the book will surely get a correct understanding of what happened at that time,” said Zhang, also a professor with Nanjing University.
The volumes were jointly released by the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Publishing House and Fenghuang Publishing & Media Group. Compilers said they are still working on a lot of materials which may lead to the publication of another 25 volumes totaling nearly 20 million words.
The release came before the 70th anniversary of the Massacre which falls on Dec. 13, when a memorial hall for the Massacre will reopen after two years of expansion works. The new memorial, in Nanjing, will be able to hold 30,000 more visitors.
Some 3,000 pieces of historical items, including cameras, weapons and diaries of the Japanese troops and 3,500 photos taken during the period will be on show.
Japanese aggressors occupied Nanjing on Dec. 13, 1937, and embarked on a six-week long orgy of destruction, pillage, rape and slaughter. Historical records show that more than 300,000 Chinese people, including both disarmed soldiers and innocent civilians, were murdered.—Xinhua