China has urged Japan to face history squarely, reflect on its crimes of aggression and make a clear break with militarism.

It noted that this could follow the right path of peaceful development and good neighbourly relations.

The assistant foreign minister, Hong Lei, said this at a news conference on Thursday.

Mr Hong made the remarks in response to a media query concerning Japan’s negative attitude toward China’s upcoming commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary.

The anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

Mr Hong said at the news conference about China’s V-Day commemorations that having a correct perception and attitude toward history was a yardstick testing whether Japan upholds conscience and honours its commitment to peaceful development.

There are always some forces in Japan that seek to deny and whitewash its aggression, distort history, or even attempt to change the conviction of its war criminals in WWII.

Mr Hong added that such acts posed challenges to the post-WWII international order, to human conscience and to all who love peace.

At the news conference on Thursday, Mr Hong announced that 26 foreign leaders will attend China’s V-Day commemorations in Beijing next week. 

(Xinhua/NAN)