By ZHOU JIN
China slammed the "irresponsible" remarks made by Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi over a joint statement made by China and Russia on World War II, saying that the statement is the just call from Beijing and Moscow to uphold the truth of history and defend world peace.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian made the remarks after Hayashi criticized the joint statement on further deepening the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era issued on May 8. The statement called on Japan to be cautious in words and deeds and distance itself from militarism.
Hayashi also criticized Russia's actions in Ukraine, as well as China's military activities.
Making such irresponsible remarks instead of deeply reflecting on its crime of aggression and the responsibility it bears have revealed Japan's wrong attitude toward historical issue, Lin said.
To correctly view history and handle historical matters represent an important prerequisite of Japan's post-war return to the international community, as well as the political foundation for Japan to develop relations with neighboring countries, Lin pointed out.
It's also an important yardstick for Japan's commitment to peaceful development, he added.
Citing Japan's evasive attitudes on "comfort women" and Japanese politicians' visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, Lin said that such moves have caused strong opposition and grave concern from neighboring countries.
China urges Japan to earnestly reflect on its history of aggression and to learn from history, show a strong sense of responsibility to history, the people and the future, follow the path of peaceful development and take concrete actions to earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community, he said.
