Chinese dance drama "Deep in Memory," which conveys the cruelty and pain brought by invading Japanese troops in the Nanjing Massacre in World War II, was staged in Paris, France on Friday. Directed by Tong Ruirui, the story follows survivors and witnesses of the Nanjing Massacre, which took place when invading Japanese troops captured Nanjing during World War II. Approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers were killed in a six-week rampage that began on Dec. 13, 1937. Chinese dancer Yang Zheng plays the lead role of Chinese-American writer Iris Chang, the author of "The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II," who, in the dance drama, establishes links with the main historical figures from the book, including John Rabe, Minnie Vautrin, Li Xiuying and Shiro Azuma, to revive a deeply tragic page in the Chinese history. The show deeply moved the audience, with many distinguished guests criticizing the Japanese atrocities and expressing their love for peace. The show also prompted reflection on the recent belligerent remarks made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, at a time when the Asia-Pacific region is aspiring to peace rather than a resurgence of Japanese militarism. Shotlist: Paris, France - Nov 21, 2025: 1. Various of dancers performing Chinese dance drama "Deep in Memory"; 2. SOUNDBITE (French) Bernard Cazeneuve, former French Prime Minister (ending with shot 3): "Yes, I am aware of the role Japan played during World War II and the major events that marked this tragic period, including the massacres that have been mentioned today. But the way this ballet depicts it shows the scale of the tragedy and the intensity of the drama that unfolded at that time. And the artistic representation is absolutely poignant through the music, the art, the staging, and the choreography. It is a very beautiful show."; 3. Various of dancers performing; 4. SOUNDBITE (French) Anne Lettree, art historian (partially overlaid with shot 5): "I went to Nanjing and learned about this story thanks to that trip a long time ago. I went there several times, but I was lucky enough to meet some wonderful people who told me the story and a handful of people who survived this tragedy. And it's true that it's quite terrible. But I admit that the choreography we saw tonight is of a very high standard, with an intensity that makes us experience moments that we don't know here in Europe with a great density of drama and horror. So I think that, in good faith, we should try to talk, try to sit down around a table and talk with our Chinese friends, and I think that things can be resolved in another way. Moreover, I believe that Chinese thought and philosophy will arrive at and achieve something in this direction." [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]; 5. Dancer performing [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]; 6. Dancers performing; 7. SOUNDBITE (French) Franck Ferrand, French historian and writer (ending with shot 8): "In the West, we have a rather vague understanding of the war between China and Japan, and we have a lot of work to do to raise awareness of the various episodes of a war whose worst episode was undoubtedly what we call the Rape of Nanking. This terrible massacre took place at the end of 1937 and the beginning of 1938. We have heard about it in the West. We have even written literary works on the subject. But the truth is that this appalling war crime may not have been taken seriously enough. And what this magnificent ballet does is to show the role of history and memory, and history and memory are represented on stage. As a historian, whose job is to tell people what happened, I find this personification of history magnificent. It brings the victims back to life, embraces them, and ultimately merges with them. I found it very moving."; 8. Dancers performing; 9. SOUNDBITE (French) Abdallah Al Moussarih, musician (starting with shot 8) "I believe that political leaders of this region must refrain from making provocative statements and engage in peaceful discussions in order to establish peace and security. These are great countries, great civilizations -- China and Japan are great nations -- and war does not solve problems, because we must always find a path to dialogue in order to bring peace to the region, ensure its prosperity and the well-being of its inhabitants, and achieve peace in the world."; 10. Dancers performing. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]