标签： Asia

In a significant development for historical documentation, the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders has publicly revealed thirteen previously undisclosed sets of cultural artifacts and archival materials. This revelation coincides with the 88th anniversary commemorations of the tragic events that unfolded in Nanjing during 1937-1938.

The comprehensive collection includes multiple categories of evidentiary materials: personal correspondence from Japanese military personnel, photographic documentation of post-occupation Nanjing, archival records of a Chinese military physician killed during the defense operations, an Imperial Japanese Army photographic album, and international publications in English and French detailing wartime atrocities.

Among the most compelling evidence are two letters written by Japanese soldiers that provide firsthand perpetrator accounts of systematic executions. One particularly disturbing document, dated January 8, 1938, describes in graphic detail the daily execution of Chinese prisoners at a riverside location, with bodies disposed of in the Yangtze River. The soldier’s casual description of these acts as ‘very interesting’ and ‘so satisfying’ offers chilling insight into the psychological mindset of the perpetrators.

Historical researchers have verified the authenticity of these documents through cross-referencing with previously published materials, including address information matching records in Japanese historical publications. According to Wang Weixing, research fellow at the Jiangsu Provincial Academy of Social Sciences, these letters constitute ‘ironclad evidence’ of Japanese military operations during the massacre period.

The collection also features eight photographic images donated by Chinese citizens from Henan province, documenting key locations and events during the occupation period. These include images of architectural damage from artillery bombardment, the Japanese military’s formal entry ceremony, and engineering operations conducted during the siege.

International perspectives are represented through publications including the November 22, 1938 edition of American magazine LOOK, which featured a exposé titled ‘Killing for Fun’ with photographic evidence of Japanese military conduct. Additional evidentiary value comes from French and English publications that document demographic information contradicting revisionist claims about Nanjing’s population at the time of occupation.

Academic experts emphasize that these materials provide crucial third-party verification of historical events, particularly significant given ongoing attempts by certain factions to deny or minimize the scale of atrocities. The evidence directly counters arguments regarding population figures that have been used to question the established historical record.

The memorial hall’s expanded collection strengthens the historical narrative through multiple evidentiary streams, ensuring that the memory of victims is preserved with factual accuracy and that future generations may access comprehensive documentation of these historical events.

Prominent American author Rebecca F Kuang has publicly withdrawn from the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature in Dubai, aligning herself with the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement’s call to boycott the United Arab Emirates. The decision stems from the UAE’s alleged involvement in the ongoing conflict in Sudan.

In an Instagram story posted Monday, Kuang shared her formal communication with event organizers, stating she is ‘no longer able to travel to Dubai’ for the festival. The author emphasized her consistent respect for ‘organized calls for cultural boycotts against genocide from communities affected.’ She specifically referenced her adherence to ‘the Palestinian BDS National Committee’s recent call given the mass atrocities in Sudan.’

The literary festival receives sponsorship from multiple government-affiliated entities, including the Investment Corporation of Dubai (identifying as the government’s ‘principal investment arm’), the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, and Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism.

Kuang’s announcement followed significant social media criticism highlighting the apparent contradiction between her literary focus on colonial themes and her planned participation in the UAE-based event. Critics questioned the authenticity of her written works concerning colonization, forced labor, and displacement given her initial acceptance to headline the January festival.

Middle East Eye has documented the UAE’s alleged role in supplying arms to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group, which stands accused of ethnic cleansing and mass killings. In April 2025, the Sudanese government filed an International Court of Justice case against the UAE, alleging complicity in genocide.

This development coincides with growing global attention on the UAE’s foreign policy actions. In November, the Palestinian BDS National Committee issued a statement drawing parallels between tactics used in Gaza and Sudan, specifically calling for boycotts of Emirati institutions. The movement has previously successfully pressured international artists, including American rapper Macklemore in 2024, to cancel UAE appearances.

On Tuesday, academic and cultural workers formally launched the ‘Cultural and Academic Boycott of the UAE’ campaign (TAGATU3), gaining signatures from prominent figures like Angela Davis and Hatem Bazian. The initiative urges rejection of funding and collaborations with Emirati government entities and complicit institutions.

China has intensified its diplomatic pressure on Japan, demanding the immediate and comprehensive destruction of chemical weapons abandoned on Chinese territory during World War II. The Chinese Ministry of National Defense issued a formal statement through Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, highlighting Japan’s ongoing responsibility under international law.

Historical records indicate that Imperial Japanese forces deployed chemical weapons in violation of international conventions during their occupation of China, resulting in approximately 200,000 military and civilian casualties. In their retreat, Japanese forces concealed evidence of these violations by abandoning massive stockpiles of chemical agents across Chinese territory. These remnants continue to pose severe threats to public safety and environmental health, with over 2,000 documented poisoning cases attributed to accidental encounters with the weapons.

Despite Japan’s ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention, which mandates the secure disposal of such hazardous materials, progress has been critically delayed. Chinese officials attribute this delay to insufficient commitment and resource allocation from Japanese authorities. The Defense Ministry emphasized that toxin elimination represents both a historical obligation and a binding international legal requirement for Japan.

The Chinese government has called for enhanced Japanese cooperation in several critical areas: expedited information sharing regarding weapon locations, comprehensive assistance in identification and recovery operations, and assuming full responsibility for environmental remediation of contaminated sites. China’s statement concludes by urging Japan to reflect sincerely on its wartime aggression and fulfill its promises of creating ‘a world free of chemical weapons.’