The other day, the construction of expansion project for the Memorial Hall of Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders has been completed, and it the new hall will be opened to the public free of charge. At the new conference held on Dec.11th, Cao Jinsong, news addressor of Nanjing Municipal Government, and Zhu Chengshan, curator of the memorial hall, accepted the interview of many foreign and Chinese reporters.

About the changes of design ideas: The new hall paying more attention to the "Peace"

The reporter of Yomiuri Online: As compared with the former one, what changes has the new hall have?

Zhu Chengshan: "The former one was constructed in 1985. At that time, the materials are not enough and the exhibition area is very limited. But the new one has collected a large amount of related materials. And the contents of the materials are related to more aspects. Besides what happened during those six weeks from Dec.13th in 1937, the rapes about Japanese invaders in the whole invasion war will be also exhibited in the new hall. In addition, the part of "Peace" is another important theme of the new one.

About the scale of memorial activities

A female Japanese reporter: Firstly, I want to learn about the construction charge of the new hall. Secondly, could you tell us the change in the theme between the new and former one? Thirdly, whether the new hall will apply for the cultural heritage? Fourthly, at present, China and Japan has established fine relationship, so many Japanese think it is unnecessary to hold so large-scale memorial activities. What is your opinion?

Cao Jinsong: "The construction charge of the new hall is 248 million yuan. Added to 80 million yuan for decoration, the total charge reaches 328 million yuan."

Zhu Chengshan: "The theme of the new hall is the same as the former one. 'Never forget the history and the history must be the mirror of the future'. But now, we pay more attention to the 'Peace'.
 
At present, the scale and conditions of the new hall couldn't be compared with the memorial halls in Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Auschwitz, so we haven't applied for the cultural heritage.

And I must say that the purpose of the establishment of this memorial hall is to appeal for the peace. The fine relationship between Japan and China is also based on facing with the history correctly. As compared with the scale of memorial activities in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, that of ours is not large. I have gone to Hiroshima and Nagasaki for two times. The scale of memorial activities was very large converging with 110 thousand people. And prime minister and senator take part in the memorial activities every year. Our memorial hall is set up by folk. Our activity is just to express our mourning. Japan can commemorate Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and we can surely mourning for ourselves."

About the photo of "Killing one hundred people"

The reporter of "Asahi News": "The former memorial hall once exhibited some argumentative pictures, weather the new one will also exhibit these pictures? In addition, against the number of 300 thousand victims, not only Japanese academe but only Chinese one once doubted. What is your opinion?"

Zhu Chengshan: "I know some Japanese scholars have doubt of our pictures, especially of those about 'Killing one hundred people'. I must say we exhibited these pictures in the past and show them at present, and we will display these pictures in the future forever. The one about 'Killing one hundred people' was issued on Japanese newspaper at that time, and Japanese High Court also adjudged the picture is real. No one can doubt its authenticity.

The number of 300 thousand victims was not mentioned by and Chinese or Japanese scholar. It has been adjudged by the law and the history at that time. Both Far-East Court and Nanjing Court recognized this number. If the trials of these two courts couldn't be overthrown, this number is real. But in my opinion, no matter how many Chinese compatriots killed in Nanjing Massacre, Japanese must respect the history and facts. "

About the donation

The reporter of Jiefang Daily in Shanghai: "Could you introduce something about the donation of money and cultural relics?"

Zhu Chengshan: "During the two-year construction, we have accepted the donation of over four million yuan including one million yuan from Taiwan and 500 thousand yuan from HK. Many residents in Nanjing and relations of victims in Nanjing Massacre also donated to the new hall. I must say 'Thank you' to them. Chinese in USA and Japan donated some cultural relics. In addition, we also recruited volunteers in order to ensure the service work of the memorial activity. In only three days, 1,100 residents in Nanjing applied for. The youngest one is only eight years old and the oldest one is over 70 years old."