Thousands of Chinese people on Sunday gathered at a ceremony in Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning province, to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the 'Mukden Incident' in which Japanese troops bombarded a garrison housing 7,000 Chinese forces in Shenyang on September 18, 1931. This turned out to be the prelude to the 14-year Japanese invasion of China.

Like Us on Facebook

China's Vice Premier Liu Yandong led the bell-tolling ceremony, which included World War II veterans, Communist Party officials, local government officials, and citizens. The bell was struck 14 times; representing the number of years that Chinese troops fought against Japanese aggressors.

In his speech, Liu said China is a peace-loving nation and would uphold its sovereignty at all cost. He said the country will never forget the incident and would continue to draw strength from the Chinese forces who died, describing them as heroes.

500 Chinese soldiers

More than 500 Chinese soldiers perished during the Japanese attacks on the Chinese garrison in Shenyang on the evening of September 18, 1931.

Liu said the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese people are committed to upholding peace and performing their duty in promoting world peace, stability, and development.

He rallied the Chinese people to uphold patriotism, and to remember the spirit of the soldiers who died fighting against Japanese aggressors and use it in realizing China's dream of a rejuvenated nation.

Staged event

After the ceremony, the group proceeded to a museum dedicated to the memory of the Mukden Incident.

The September 18, 1931 attack was a staged event engineered by Japanese military personnel as a pretext for Japan's invasion of northeastern China in 1931.

Japanese forces blew up part of a railway under their control and accused Chinese forces of committing the act. That night, more than 500 Japanese troops opened fire on a Chinese garrison housing 7,000 troops, killing more than 500 Chinese military personnel and two Japanese soldiers.

The attacks would prove to be a prelude to the 14-year occupation of China by Japanese forces. 

TagsSeptember 18 Incident, Shenyang, Chinese soldiers, Communist Party of China, Japanese occupation, china, Mukden Incident