China urges Japan to follow peaceful development path

BEIJING - China on Friday urged Japan to follow a path of peaceful development with a deep reflection on history.

"This year marks the 68th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The victory was a great triumph of justice over evil, light over darkness and progressive forces over reactionary elements," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying at a daily ministry briefing in response to a media request asking for China's comment on Japan's defeat in 1945.

In those years of hardship, the Chinese people waged unyielding and dauntless struggles and made enormous national sacrifice and historical contributions to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, Hua said, adding that only by keeping in mind and repenting for its history can Japan avoid repeating its historical tragedy.

It is common understanding in the international community that whether Japan faces up and repents for its aggressive history or not will have an impact on Japan's own future of development and will also determine ties between Japan and its Asian neighbors, as well as the peace and stability of northeast Asia, Hua said.

She pointed out that Japan's denial and justification of its history of aggression run contrary to a peaceful development path, saying that the international community pays more attention to Japan's concrete efforts than to its words.

China sincerely hopes Japan will take responsibility for its history and for safeguarding peace, earnestly reflect on history and adhere to a peaceful development path, Hua said.

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