It was announced on Monday by the curator of the 1937 Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall that the building will undergo restoration including the installation of high-tech broadcasting facilities and sculptures.?

Zhu Chengshan revealed for the first time the detailed plans for the new hall during a meeting of leaders from 18 museums that have exhibitions about the War Against Japanese Aggression (1937-45). According to Zhu, speaking in Nanjing, three-dimensional broadcasting facilities with high-tech lighting and sound technology will be utilized.

Videos will include documentary films about the massacre, interviews with important figures such as compatriot writer Iris Chang, Xia Shuqin who was actually there and several veteran Japanese soldiers who participated in events.?

A total of 120 laser TV sets will be arranged in the exhibition zones to show what is recorded in the various areas. Critical scenes during the massacre will be replicated using sand sculptures in a bid to bring the events to life. These scenes include the breaking through of the city walls by Japanese troops and the slaughter of Nanjing civilians.

Ten new exhibition zones will also be added, according to Zhu.

There'll be a special zone displaying documents from two military tribunals after World War II to demonstrate the dignity of the historic rulings. Old documents and photos from overseas residents, who were in the city's International Safety Zone which was established to protect foreigners at the time, will be displayed in another area.

Zhu said the new hall would also show the contribution made by Kuomintang troops in achieving victory in the war. The building will cover 7.4 hectares, compared to 2.2 hectares at present, and will cost 477 million yuan (US$59.5 million). It'll open to the public in December 2007.

(China Daily September 27, 2006)