Artist Ji Tao works on his picture which depicts scenes from the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45). [Photo/zgnt.net]

A variety of activities were held across China on Sept 18 to mark the 88th anniversary of the September 18 Incident in 1931, which triggered the Chinese people's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45).

But Ji Tao, an amateur artist in Nantong in eastern Jiangsu province, has his own rather special way to mark the day.

Since Sept 2008 he has been engaged in a huge art work, which records the war against Japan.

The piece is 1 meter wide and currently more than 260 m long -- but its length is expected to top 300 m on completion.

Over the past 20 years, the veteran has created more than 100 paintings themed on the Chinese people’s revolution.

“I carefully sorted out the history of the war and collected detailed materials before I started painting in Sept 2008,” Ji said.

He said the painting consists of three parts. The first two parts have been finished with a total length of about 190 m. 

The painting starts with the victory of the Long March and records key incidents, such as the Xi’an Incident, the Lugouqiao Incident, the Nanjing Massacre and the Hundred Regiments Offensive, as well as some stories about national heroes.

Ji said he is currently working on the third part, which starts with the Chinese Expeditionary Force's fight in Burma.

“I’ve painted nearly 70 m of that,” said Ji, who stated that the painting will end with Japan's surrender on Sept 2, 1945.