On the eve of the 67th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre in World War II, 179 survivors received certificates at a ceremony held by the Association for the Aid of Survivors of the massacre Sunday.

The association, established in August, has aided more than 10 survivors suffering illness or poverty.

"We hope more care and help can be given to the victims and survivors," said Qin Jie, director of the association.

The association has gained widely supports and donations. Some peaceful and friendly bodies from seven countries anticipated in the association.

"Dec. 13, 1937 is a bloody day for us, during which we were all greatly harmed and our close kin were slaughtered," said Luo Zhongyang, who was given a certificate as a survivor at the ceremony.

He said he appreciated the help of the government and the association and swore to dedicate his life into peace keeping and against war.

A total of 1,756 survivors from the massacre were identified in1985 when the Nanjing Memorial Hall of Compatriots Murdered in the Nanjing Massacre was founded, said Zhu Chengshan, president of the memorial hall. "More than 300 of them passed away by 1991."

In 1997, more than 14,000 Chinese and Japanese student volunteers found 2,460 survivors and eyewitnesses by interviewing everyone over 70 in 15 districts of Nanjing, the capital of eastern China's Jiangsu Province.

There at least 400 living survivors, most of whom are over 80 and unhealthy, Luo said.

"It is the duty of the Japanese government to give aid and compensation to the survivors," said Yasushi Ikeo, a renowned Japanese professor, at the ceremony.

However, some Japanese have shirked the responsibility of admitting the history of invading China, he noted, saying that "China and Japan should join hands in creating sound bilateral relations."

(Xinhua News Agency December 12, 2004)