[Commentary] September 3, 2022 is the 77th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. On that day, Su Yuankui, a survivor of the Chongqing bombing, came to the site of the Chongqing bombing tragedy in Jiaochangkou, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, to mourn the deceased relatives and compatriots.
[Concurrent] Su Yuankui, a survivor of the Chongqing bombing
Dear relatives and compatriots, today is the anniversary of the 77th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The hurt you suffered in the past, now that China is strong, will no longer be persecuted by the invaders. We will also remember this history in our hearts. I hope you Rest in peace now.
[Explanation] During World War II, Chongqing, as the Far East Command Center of the World Anti-Fascist War and the wartime capital of the Nationalist Government, was strategically bombed by the Japanese for 6 years and 10 months, known as the "Chongqing Bombing" in history.
According to statistics, the Chongqing bombing caused 32,829 direct casualties and 6,651 indirect casualties.
The 89-year-old Su Yuankui is a survivor of the Chongqing bombing of the "June 5th" tunnel tragedy. Every year on the anniversary of the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, he comes to the site of the Chongqing bombing massacre to mourn his relatives and compatriots who died.
Su Yuankui said that although more than 80 years have passed since that tragic history, the pain in his heart will never be healed.
[Concurrent] Su Yuankui, a survivor of the Chongqing bombing
The inhumane bombing of Chongqing by the Japanese invading troops will never be erased in our hearts, and we will never forget this history in our hearts.
[Explanation] Su Yuankui wiped off the dust on the monument of the Chongqing Bombing "June 5" Tunnel Massacre with a very heavy heart, then put his forehead on the wall of the site, and did not leave for a long time.
He said that in his lifetime, he hopes to see the Japanese government sincerely apologize for the history of aggression.
[Concurrent] Su Yuankui, a survivor of the Chongqing bombing
As a survivor of the Chongqing bombing, I am getting older and older. I hope that in my lifetime, I can see the Japanese invaders and sincerely apologize.
[Explanation] In order to seek justice for the victims, in 2004, survivors of the Chongqing bombing and relatives of the victims formed the "Chongqing Bombing Victims Civilian Compensation Group to Japan", with Su Yuankui serving as the head of the compensation group.
He led the survivors and relatives of the victims more than 40 times to Japanese courts to conduct cross-border lawsuits, asking the Japanese government to apologize and compensate.
In the end, the Supreme Court of Japan made a final judgment on the case, which resulted in the loss of the plaintiffs.
Although the judgment acknowledged the historical facts of the Chongqing bombing, it rejected the plaintiff's request for apology and compensation from the Japanese government.
Su Yuankui said that suing the Japanese government for compensation is not to perpetuate hatred, but to hope that the world can remember history, oppose war, cherish peace, and let the historical tragedy never repeat itself.
[Concurrent] Su Yuankui, a survivor of the Chongqing bombing
For Japan's claims, we are not trying to prolong the hatred, we are mainly seeking justice for the dignity of our Chinese nation and for our victimized compatriots.
Reporter Xiao Jiangchuan reports from Chongqing
Responsible editor: [Liu Xian]