Walking into a peaceful future
(english.jsjyt.gov.cn) Updated：2018-12-04
International residents in Nanjing attend the activity on Dec 2. [Photo by Yang Bo/VCG]
The Nanjing Safety Zone, following the example of Jesuit Father Robert Jacquinot de Besange in Shanghai, was erected by some 20 American and German businessmen, physicians and missionaries living in Nanjing at that time.
To coordinate their efforts, the Westerners formed a committee, the International Committee for the Nanjing Safety Zone, on Nov 22, 1937, with German businessman John Rabe acting as its leader.
The zone has saved the lives of roughly 250,000 Chinese people during the darkest period – the six-week slaughter committed by the Japanese Imperial Army in and around Nanjing, the then capital of China, after it fell to the invaders on Dec 13, 1937. The Japanese troops cruelly claimed the lives of more than 300,000 civilians and unarmed soldiers. More than 20,000 women were raped and many were killed. One-third of the city was looted and property losses were beyond count.
