Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu lays a wreath in memory of the victims of the Nanjing Massacre and the Japanese invasion during the national memorial day ceremony at the Central Government Offices on Dec 13, 2022. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG - The government of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region held a memorial ceremony Tuesday to mourn the victims of the Nanjing Massacre.

Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Leung Chun-ying, Chief Executive of the HKSAR John Lee Ka-chiu, and principal officials of the HKSAR government attended the ceremony and observed a moment of silence.

Lee laid a wreath in memory of the victims at the ceremony held at the HKSAR government headquarters

ALSO READ: Ceremony held to commemorate Nanjing Massacre victims

Lee laid a wreath in memory of the victims at the ceremony held at the HKSAR government headquarters.

"Today, we pay our highest tribute to the victims," he said. "I wish to take this opportunity to show the Chinese people's firm stance of resolutely safeguarding national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and world peace."

In 2014, China's top legislature designated Dec 13 as the national memorial day for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre.

READ MORE: HK holds memorial ceremony for Nanjing Massacre victims

The Nanjing Massacre took place after the Japanese troops captured the city on Dec 13, 1937. Over six weeks, they killed more than 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers in one of the most barbaric episodes of World War II.