The Federation of Trade Unions on Friday held a rally outside the Japanese consulate in Central to mark the 86th anniversary of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident.

The group called on the Hong Kong authorities to better educate people about the incident in 1937, which is considered to have been the start of Japan's full-scale invasion of China.

FTU lawmaker Bill Tang said people should also be taught to cherish hard-won peace.

"We also hope the SAR government and the education sector can do their job to educate Hong Kong people about the history of mainland China and Hong Kong, especially the horrific history of the war of resistance against Japan," he said.

"They should also promote the epic events of war heroes, to let people know that today's peace has been hard-won."

Meanwhile, representatives from the Action Committee for Defending the Diaoyu Islands marched to the consulate on Friday morning, demanding an apology and compensation from Japan for its invasion of China.