China renews calls for Japan to reflect upon its history

BEIJING - China on Wednesday renewed its call for Japan to profoundly reflect upon its aggression history in World War II, and earnestly carry out its promise of peaceful development.

The call came as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, while on a tour to the Middle East, paid a visit Monday to Yad Vashem, a memorial in Jerusalem for the victims of the Holocaust.

Abe said during the visit that such tragedies as the Nazi genocide should never be repeated and Japan is committed to playing a more active role in the world peace and stability.

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said on Tuesday in a speech in Brussels that Japan, based on deep remorse for the past, was determined "not to repeat the suffering brought about by the devastation of WWII".

"We have noticed Japanese leaders' recent remarks," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a daily press briefing.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of the World Anti-Fascism War and the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Hua said.

"We hope Japan can profoundly reflect upon the war initiated by militarists and the sufferings brought to Asian neighbors, properly handle the historical issue, earnestly carry out its promise so as to win trust from Asian neighboring countries and the international society through concrete actions," the spokeswoman said.