Ceremony marks 83rd anniversary of Nanjing massacre

A confident-sounding Communist Party of China spoke of a brighter future as it remembered the victims at a ceremony Sunday on the 83rd anniversary of the Nanjing massacre. Over six weeks, Japanese troops raped and killed tens of thousands — and by some estimates hundreds of thousands of people after conquering Nanjing, then the capital of China, on Dec. 13, 1937.

Chen Xi, a senior party official called the massacre "an inhuman act in human history." Addressing a large and precisely lined-up crowd in the eastern city, he said they had gathered "to remember the day of atrocity, honor peace and open a new chapter of our future."

Chen said that China, which has displaced Japan as the world's second largest economy, is closer than ever to achieving the dream of national rejuvenation, a Communist Party catchphrase. He used the anniversary to counter those who see China's rise as a threat, saying that the party is committed to international cooperation and peaceful development. Chen also noted that China is the first country to bring COVID-19 under control and restore economic growth, which he said demonstrates the strength of Communist Party leadership. China is a one-party, authoritarian state.