China and Japan should focus on the fundamental interests of the people of both countries, cherish the peace obtained with great difficulty, and make contributions to the peace of mankind, he said.

The international community should make joint efforts to safeguard peace and face history in a candid manner, he said, adding that China would like to join hands with other countries to build a community of a shared future for mankind.

On Wednesday morning, memorial ceremonies were held at 17 mass graves, 12 communities and six patriotic education centers across Nanjing. In the afternoon, monks from China, Japan and South Korea attended the World Peace Rite to chant for the victims.

In February 2014, China's top legislature designated Dec 13 as the National Memorial Day for Victims of the Nanjing Massacre.

While attending the first State commemoration for the National Memorial Day in December 2014, Xi said that the purpose of the memorial ceremony is to recall that every good-hearted person yearns for and holds a firm stance of peace but does not try to prolong hatred.