China Urges Japan to Learn from History to Avoid Straying onto the Wrong Path

Strategic Insights -

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi used the 80th anniversary of Japan's unconditional surrender in World War II to reiterate China's position on historical issues, emphasizing the importance of facing history squarely to earn respect. Wang made the remarks at the tenth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, highlighting the need for Japan to learn from its past and avoid glorifying its invasion. Wang stressed that only by drawing lessons from history can Japan explore a better future and avoid straying onto the wrong path again.

Key Takeaways:

  • Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Japan to learn from history to earn respect and avoid straying onto the wrong path.
  • Wang emphasized the importance of facing history squarely, citing the unchallengeable outcome of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the post-war international order.
  • Japan's invasion and aggression against China and other Asian countries inflicted immense suffering, and its people also suffered deeply.
  • International instruments, including the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, clearly defined Japan's responsibility for the war and required it to return the territories it had stolen, including Taiwan.
  • Some forces in Japan continue to glorify and deny their invasion, distort and fabricate history, and seek to rehabilitate the names of war criminals, which is contemptible and self-defeating.
  • Wang urged Japan to make the right choice and avoid repeating mistakes from the past.

Statistics:

  • 80 years have passed since Japan's unconditional surrender in World War II.
  • Japan's invasion and aggression against China and other Asian countries inflicted immense suffering on millions of people.
  • The Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation clearly defined Japan's responsibility for the war and required it to return the territories it had stolen.
  • Taiwan has been under Japanese occupation for over a century.

Sources:

  • China Internet Information Center: http://www.china.org.cn