A series of memorial services will be held later this month in the southeastern city of Nanjing to mark the 74th anniversary of a massacre that claimed the lives of 300,000 Chinese civilians and disarmed soldiers.

Nanjing witnessed mass murder, genocide and war rape following the Japanese capture of the city on December 13, 1937, during World War II.

Memorial events have been held every year since Nanjing opened a memorial hall for the massacre victims in 1985, according to the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders.

Zhu Chengshan, president of the memorial hall, said the activities will include a candlelight vigil, a prayer assembly for peace, as well as several exhibitions and seminars.

As part of this year's events, documents and relics will be donated to the memorial hall from a Japanese monk who has spent years collecting items related to the massacre, Zhu added.

"We express sorrows for those perished, and more importantly, to remember history and cherish peace," Zhu added.

Thousands of Nanjing residents are expected to attend the memorial events.

(Xinhua News Agency December 4, 2011)