China protests over reports Japan urged other countries to skip WWII parade

Citing anonymous diplomatic sources, Japan’s Kyodo news agency reported on Sunday that Japanese embassies abroad have been warning that the Victory Day events have anti-Japanese overtones.

Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, said on Tuesday that Beijing has lodged protests with Japan, asked for clarification and urged Japan to face up to its past.

“Any country that honestly confronts history, genuinely learns from historical lessons, and sincerely commits to peaceful development would not harbour doubts or raise objections regarding this matter,” Guo told reporters in Beijing.

“If Japan truly wishes to move beyond historical issues, it should confront and reflect on its history of aggression with an honest attitude, sever all ties with militarism, pursue a path of peaceful development, and genuinely respect the feelings of the people of China and other victimised nations. Only then can it gain the trust of its Asian neighbours and the international community.”