Zhu Chengshan, curator of the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, Monday displays an archive photo taken during the Nanjing Massacre in December 1937. Lu Zhaoning, a Chinese American, Monday donated 128 archives about the Nanjing Massacre to the memorial hall. Photo: IC

 
China's State Council has released a list of 80 state facilities and sites commemorating the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937-45) ahead of the 69th anniversary of the country's victory, which falls on September 3.

Lugou Bridge in Beijing and the Memorial Hall for Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders are on the list, which is the first of its kind in the nation, according to a circular issued on Monday by the State Council, China's Cabinet.

Also on Monday, the Ministry of Civil Affairs announced a list of 300 martyrs and heroic groups who sacrificed their lives during the Japanese invasion of China in the 1930s and 40s.

The move comes after China's top legislature approved the establishment of a national day on September 30 to commemorate martyrs of the war.

It is the third national memorial day in China, following "Victory Day of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression" on September 3 and "National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims" on December 13, both ratified by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress in February.

It is believed that China has about 20 million war martyrs. However, as there is no record of many of their names, only 1.93 million have been enlisted in the government's directory. About 300 people have been identified as martyrs annually in recent years.