Memorial service held for late Nanjing Massacre survivor

NANJING - A light representing Qiu Xiuying on a wall commemorating Nanjing Massacre survivors has been turned off, signaling her passing.

Qiu, 88, died on Tuesday afternoon in Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu Province. On Friday, a memorial service was held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders.

Her family members, staff of the memorial hall, and visitors stood in silent tribute. They laid flowers and bowed to show their respect.

In December 1937, Japanese invaders captured Nanjing, then China's capital, and killed about 300,000 Chinese during a six-week atrocity.

Qiu survived, hiding in a basement with four family members. But her mother was shot dead when she left the basement one day.

Zhang Jianjun, curator of the memorial hall, said the survivors are the living witnesses of history and their experiences are proof of the atrocities by the Japanese invaders.

"Although my mother has passed away, I will continue telling our future generations what happened," said Li Jincheng, Qiu's son.

According to Zhang, there are only 100 registered survivors who are still alive.