China marks war anniversary, alert to Japan's security bills

ALERT TO JAPAN'S SECURITY BILLS

Earlier this month China held a military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the war.

"War is like a mirror. Looking at it helps us better appreciate the value of peace," said Chinese President Xi Jinping at the commemoration on Sept. 3 in Beijing, attended by dozens of world leaders, but not Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

"War is the sword of Damocles that still hangs over mankind. We must learn the lessons of history and dedicate ourselves to peace," said Xi, committing China to peaceful development and announcing a cut of 300,000 troops.

A committee of the upper house of the Japanese parliament passed the controversial security bills amid chaos in the chamber on Thursday. If enacted, the bills will allow the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to engage in armed conflict overseas, even if Japan is not under attack.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei on Friday urged the Japanese government to contribute more to regional peace and stability.

"We hope that the Japanese government will learn from history and stick to the path of peaceful development," Hong said.

The security bills show Japan's continuing shift to the right, said Lv Chao, a researcher with the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, adding that Japan's latest moves are worrying steps toward the revival of militarism.

Chinese political analysts claim the security bills threaten peace in the Asia-Pacific.

Liang Yunxiang, a professor of international relations at Peking University, said the security bills will be bad for security in east Asia.

"For China, it is a very bad thing and it will certainly feel a kind of threat," he said.