China Marks 94th Anniversary of September 18 Incident with Nationwide Commemorations

Nationwide Tributes Honor Historical Turning Point

On Thursday, September 18, 2025, China solemnly commemorated the 94th anniversary of the September 18 Incident, an event widely recognized as the catalyst for China's protracted War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Across the country, particularly in the northeastern region, ceremonies were held to remember the pivotal moment that occurred in 1931.

In Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning Province and the site where the incident unfolded, air-raid sirens blared for three minutes, and a bell tolled in a poignant tribute. This annual tradition, observed in Shenyang since 1995, saw pedestrians standing still and vehicles sounding their horns in silent respect.

The Mukden Incident: A Pretext for Invasion

The September 18 Incident, also known as the Mukden Incident, refers to a staged event on September 18, 1931, near Mukden (now Shenyang). Japanese military personnel detonated a small quantity of dynamite close to a railway line owned by Japan's South Manchuria Railway. Despite the minimal damage, which allowed a train to pass minutes later, the Imperial Japanese Army falsely accused Chinese dissidents of the act.

This fabricated incident served as a pretext for a full-scale invasion and occupation of Manchuria, leading to the establishment of the Japanese puppet state of Manchukuo. Many historians consider the Mukden Incident to be the unofficial start of World War II in Asia.

Commemorative Ceremonies and Historical Significance

The main commemorative event took place at the 9.18 Historical Museum in Shenyang, where hundreds of people, including veterans and their families, gathered. At precisely 9:18 a.m., 14 representatives from various sectors struck a massive bell 14 times. This act symbolized the 14 years of arduous resistance by the Chinese nation against Japanese aggression, spanning from 1931 to 1945.

Beyond Shenyang, more than 100 cities across China simultaneously sounded air-raid sirens, reinforcing the nationwide remembrance of the historical event. The commemorations serve as a powerful reminder of the national humiliation suffered and underscore the importance of safeguarding peace and striving for national rejuvenation.