China lodges representations after Japan urges countries not to attend V-Day parade

BEIJING -- China has lodged serious representations with the Japanese side and demanded clarification, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday.

Guo made the remarks at a regular news briefing after Japan reportedly urged European and Asian countries to refrain from attending the military parade and other events on September 3 in Beijing -- commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

The Chinese government will hold this commemoration in its capital with the aims of remembering history, honoring martyrs, cherishing peace and creating the future, Guo said.

"Any country, as long as it faces history squarely, draws lessons from history and is committed to peaceful development, will not have doubts or even raise objections to this," Guo said.

Having a correct perception and attitude regarding history was an important prerequisite for Japan's return to the international community after World War II, the political foundation of Japan's relations with neighboring countries, and a yardstick measuring Japan's commitment to peaceful development, Guo added.

The Japanese side should squarely face and reflect on its history of aggression with an honest attitude, make a clean break with militarism, follow the path of peaceful development, and respect the sentiments of the people of China and other victimized countries to earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community, the spokesperson concluded.