Several diplomats from across the world gathered in Hiroshima on Thursday to attend ceremonies marking the 70^th anniversary of the bombardment of the city with an atomic bomb.

Hundreds of people assembled at the Hiroshima Peace Park to observe a moment of silence for the victims of the deadly bombing. Lanterns were symbolically floated over the Motoyasu River in memory of the dead. Doves were also released as part of the ceremony.

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The U.S. atomic bomb dropped in Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945 - during the height of the Second World War - killed more than 140,000 people. It was followed by another atomic bombing in Nagasaki, which killed up to 70,000 people. Experts agree that these incidents were crucial to Japan's surrender.

Since the end Second World War, several activists have called for the destruction of all atomic bombs. Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui echoed these ideas during his speech at the 70^th anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing.

Matsui condemned world powers for the fact that they continue to possess nuclear weapons. He said the world must adopt a security system that does not depend on military "force but trust." He also urged Japan's Premier Shinzo Abe not to abandon the country's pacifist stance and invited U.S. President Barack Obama as well as other policy makers to visit the sites of the atomic bombing.

Japan's defensive military outlook has come into question recently as Abe seeks the approval of Japanese lawmakers for a series of contentious security bills. The bills, which have since been approved by lawmakers in the country's lower house, would allow Japanese troops fight abroad for the first time since World War II to defend the interest of ally nations.

There have been several protests in Japan over the bills. The governments of neighboring countries - such as China - have also criticized the new laws. This issue has created tension between the East Asia neighbors.

Chinese scholars have accused Japan of violating the historic Potsdam Declaration that led to the surrender of Japanese forces in the Second World War.

Besides Japan's controversial security bills, another source of contention between China and Japan has been the former's alleged violation of territorial agreements in the East and South China Sea. Japan has accused China of violating bilateral agreements by conducting exploration of oil and gas reserves in the East China Sea. Japan's latest defense report also condemned China's growing assertiveness in the South China Sea.

Abe has wisely shunned from making any disputative comment during his speech on the 70^th anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing. The Japanese leader simply called for an end to the use of nuclear bombs. He said Japan will submit a new draft resolution on the elimination of nuclear weapons to the United Nations soon.

Abe vowed to continue to provide medical support for victims of the Hiroshima bombing.

Experts say Abe is expected to give another speech at the end of the anniversary of the war next week.

China has repeatedly called for an apology from Japan for the country's war crimes. China has also demanded that Japan does more to atone for the effects of her wartime atrocities on neighboring Asian countries.

Next month, China will mark the 70th anniversary of the victory over Japan in the Second World War. Abe is among the invited guests to the event. It is unclear if he will honor the invitation.

TagsHiroshima Bombing, Hiroshima Bomb, Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombing, Hiroshima Bombing 70th Anniversary, second world war, East China Sea dispute