People read names of victims in the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall. In December 1937, Japanese troops captured Nanjing, then capital of China. A period of violence ensued, in what has become known as the Nanjing Massacre. As people gathered to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the event, there was still no consensus as to numbers of victims, the extent of atrocities, or duration of the massacre. China maintains that some 300,000 people were killed, with thousands of others raped and tortured. Japan disputes the figures, saying the scale of killing and rape was considerably smaller. As the two countries become increasingly close trading partners, some effort is being made to avoid flaming antagonisms over what remains a delicate issue.

Chinese paramilitary rehearse for the 70th anniversary commemoration ceremony of the Nanjing Massacre. In December 1937, Japanese troops captured Nanjing, then capital of China. A period of violence ensued, in what has become known as the Nanjing Massacre. As people gathered to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the event, there was still no consensus as to numbers of victims, the extent of atrocities, or duration of the massacre. China maintains that some 300,000 people were killed, with thousands of others raped and tortured. Japan disputes the figures, saying the scale of killing and rape was considerably smaller. As the two countries become increasingly close trading partners, some effort is being made to avoid flaming antagonisms over what remains a delicate issue.

Chinese paramilitary rehearse for the 70th anniversary commemoration ceremony of the Nanjing Massacre. In December 1937, Japanese troops captured Nanjing, then capital of China. A period of violence ensued, in what has become known as the Nanjing Massacre. As people gathered to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the event, there was still no consensus as to numbers of victims, the extent of atrocities, or duration of the massacre. China maintains that some 300,000 people were killed, with thousands of others raped and tortured. Japan disputes the figures, saying the scale of killing and rape was considerably smaller. As the two countries become increasingly close trading partners, some effort is being made to avoid flaming antagonisms over what remains a delicate issue.

People visit the monument to the Nanjing Massacre. In December 1937, Japanese troops captured Nanjing, then capital of China. A period of violence ensued, in what has become known as the Nanjing Massacre. As people gathered to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the event, there was still no consensus as to numbers of victims, the extent of atrocities, or duration of the massacre. China maintains that some 300,000 people were killed, with thousands of others raped and tortured. Japan disputes the figures, saying the scale of killing and rape was considerably smaller. As the two countries become increasingly close trading partners, some effort is being made to avoid flaming antagonisms over what remains a delicate issue.

A member of the Chinese paramilitary at the memorial to the Nanjing Massacre. In December 1937, Japanese troops captured Nanjing, then capital of China. A period of violence ensued, in what has become known as the Nanjing Massacre. As people gathered to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the event, there was still no consensus as to numbers of victims, the extent of atrocities, or duration of the massacre. China maintains that some 300,000 people were killed, with thousands of others raped and tortured. Japan disputes the figures, saying the scale of killing and rape was considerably smaller. As the two countries become increasingly close trading partners, some effort is being made to avoid flaming antagonisms over what remains a delicate issue.

People pay their respects at the ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre. In December 1937, Japanese troops captured Nanjing, then capital of China. A period of violence ensued, in what has become known as the Nanjing Massacre. As people gathered to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the event, there was still no consensus as to numbers of victims, the extent of atrocities, or duration of the massacre. China maintains that some 300,000 people were killed, with thousands of others raped and tortured. Japan disputes the figures, saying the scale of killing and rape was considerably smaller. As the two countries become increasingly close trading partners, some effort is being made to avoid flaming antagonisms over what remains a delicate issue.

An industrial area. In December 1937, Japanese troops captured Nanjing, then capital of China. A period of violence ensued, in what has become known as the Nanjing Massacre. As people gathered to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the event, there was still no consensus as to numbers of victims, the extent of atrocities, or duration of the massacre. China maintains that some 300,000 people were killed, with thousands of others raped and tortured. Japan disputes the figures, saying the scale of killing and rape was considerably smaller. As the two countries become increasingly close trading partners, some effort is being made to avoid flaming antagonisms over what remains a delicate issue.

A man waits for a haircut downtown. In December 1937, Japanese troops captured Nanjing, then capital of China. A period of violence ensued, in what has become known as the Nanjing Massacre. As people gathered to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the event, there was still no consensus as to numbers of victims, the extent of atrocities, or duration of the massacre. China maintains that some 300,000 people were killed, with thousands of others raped and tortured. Japan disputes the figures, saying the scale of killing and rape was considerably smaller. As the two countries become increasingly close trading partners, some effort is being made to avoid flaming antagonisms over what remains a delicate issue.

Cheng Yun (88), a survivor of the Nanjing Massacre, stands outside his home. In December 1937, Japanese troops captured Nanjing, then capital of China. A period of violence ensued, in what has become known as the Nanjing Massacre. As people gathered to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the event, there was still no consensus as to numbers of victims, the extent of atrocities, or duration of the massacre. China maintains that some 300,000 people were killed, with thousands of others raped and tortured. Japan disputes the figures, saying the scale of killing and rape was considerably smaller. As the two countries become increasingly close trading partners, some effort is being made to avoid flaming antagonisms over what remains a delicate issue.

Members of the Chinese paramilitary parade during the 70th anniversary commemoration ceremony of the Nanjing Massacre. In December 1937, Japanese troops captured Nanjing, then capital of China. A period of violence ensued, in what has become known as the Nanjing Massacre. As people gathered to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the event, there was still no consensus as to numbers of victims, the extent of atrocities, or duration of the massacre. China maintains that some 300,000 people were killed, with thousands of others raped and tortured. Japan disputes the figures, saying the scale of killing and rape was considerably smaller. As the two countries become increasingly close trading partners, some effort is being made to avoid flaming antagonisms over what remains a delicate issue.

A woman burns garbage. In December 1937, Japanese troops captured Nanjing, then capital of China. A period of violence ensued, in what has become known as the Nanjing Massacre. As people gathered to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the event, there was still no consensus as to numbers of victims, the extent of atrocities, or duration of the massacre. China maintains that some 300,000 people were killed, with thousands of others raped and tortured. Japan disputes the figures, saying the scale of killing and rape was considerably smaller. As the two countries become increasingly close trading partners, some effort is being made to avoid flaming antagonisms over what remains a delicate issue.

Doves are released during the 70th anniversary commemoration ceremony of the Nanjing Massacre. In December 1937, Japanese troops captured Nanjing, then capital of China. A period of violence ensued, in what has become known as the Nanjing Massacre. As people gathered to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the event, there was still no consensus as to numbers of victims, the extent of atrocities, or duration of the massacre. China maintains that some 300,000 people were killed, with thousands of others raped and tortured. Japan disputes the figures, saying the scale of killing and rape was considerably smaller. As the two countries become increasingly close trading partners, some effort is being made to avoid flaming antagonisms over what remains a delicate issue.

Contemporary Issues,3rd prize