China has pointed out that there is a faction within Japan attempting to glorify aggression and distort history, criticizing such actions as a challenge to the postwar international order.
Hong Lei, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, said at a press conference at the news center for the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression on the 28th that whether Japan can correctly recognize and treat history is a touchstone for testing whether Japan can uphold its conscience and honor its commitment to peaceful development.
Hong Lei continued, “There has always been a faction in Japan attempting to deny aggression, glorify aggression, distort and alter history, and even reverse the verdict on and pay tribute to the war criminals of that time. This is a challenge to the postwar international order, a challenge to the conscience of humanity, and a challenge to all peace-loving people.”
He also said that in recent years, Japan has significantly adjusted its security policies, annually increased its defense budget, continuously relaxed restrictions on weapons exports, and sought breakthrough military development, which inevitably raises strong doubts among Asian neighbors and the international community about whether Japan is truly committed to an exclusively defensive posture and to peaceful development.
Hong Lei said, “We urge the Japanese side to face up to history, deeply reflect on the crimes of aggression, make a complete break with militarism, and follow the right path of peaceful development and good neighborliness.”