Prevent history repeating itself

The Potsdam Proclamation and the Cairo Declaration are very important in history. These documents contributed greatly to stability in postwar East Asia and, to some extent, determined the regional arrangement for East Asia. They should remind the Japanese public not to return to the isolation of World War II and not to repeat the mistakes made in those years.

Hui-Yi Tseng, are search associate with the East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore, xinhuanet.com, July 26

Japan should not deny or debase the peaceful spirit embodied in the Potsdam Proclamation. By trying to seek national rejuvenation through ultranationalism and militarism, the Shinzo Abe administration has stepped the wrong way and the more it goes in that direction the farther away it strays from the right destination.

Haipei Xue, President of the National Council of Chinese Americans, chinanews.com, July 26

Facing the enormous challenges of the Japanese right wing to international law and postwar international order, it is necessary to defend the justice of history and maintain peace and stability. History is the best textbook, as well as the best dose of sobriety. The international society must hold high the flag of justice raised by the Potsdam Proclamation and strike Japanese right wing politicians that attempt to deny history.

People's Daily, July 27

As the basis of postwar world order as well as the victors' arrangement of the defeated nations, the Potsdam Proclamation is an international legal document of the highest level and enjoys higher authority than general international laws or UN resolutions. As such it is the legitimate basis for China in claiming sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands.

Su Jingxiang, China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, thepaper.cn, July 26

While wrongfully reinterpreting the peaceful constitution and lifting the ban on collective self-defense rights, despite opposition from the international community, the Abe administration has said it is promoting "active pacifism" but that cannot hide its real ambition of reviving militarism. The international community must insist on the spirit of the Potsdam Proclamation and urge Japan to fulfill its duties listed in the proclamation, so as to prevent militarism from rising and history from repeating itself.

Hong Kong-based takungpao.com, July 27