People's China: China will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in early September, which is also attracting high attention from Japanese people. What kind of effects will it have in China and Japan, respectively? How can we understand the meaning of the ceremony?

Cheng Yonghua: The 70th anniversary offers a significant opportunity for the whole world to review history and look to the future. China was a victor in World War II, and also was a major battlefield. This nation and its people made great contributions and sacrificed a lot for final victory.

On September 3, as in other countries, a range of ceremonies including a memorial meeting and military parade will be held in Beijing. According to the Chinese government, the purpose is to remember history, cherish the revolutionary martyrs, hold a firm stance on peace and look to the future. We will maintain the fruits of the victory and the postwar international order, protect our national sovereignty and world peace, recall the historical memory of the people around the world, and encourage the pursuit of peace by every kind-hearted person.

The war launched by Japanese militarists brought extremely serious damage not only to victims in many parts of Asia victims, but also to the Japanese people. Chinese people always separate Japanese people from those militarists, as well as separating ordinary soldiers from war criminals. The Chinese memorial ceremony is neither aimed at today's Japan, nor the Japanese people.

To release the historical burden depends on Japan itself. For Japan, this year is a test as well as an opportunity. We hope Japan will grasp this opportunity to profoundly reflect upon history, promise the disaster will never be repeated, and then build a bright future with its Asian neighbors based on understanding and conciliation.

People's China: What positive changes do you see in Sino-Japan relations in the past half-year?

Cheng Yonghua: In recent years, due to Japan's provocative actions on sensitive issues, such as the Diaoyu Islands and Yasukuni Shrine, China-Japan relations suffered greatly. In November last year, the two countries reached a four-point agreement to improve bilateral ties. Later that month, Chinese and Japanese leaders held an official meeting during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference.

In April this year, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a summit in Indonesia. In May, President Xi delivered an important speech at a China-Japan friendship exchange meeting, which indicates China's positive will and sincerity to promote relations. China and Japan are both important countries in Asia and the world, a peaceful, friendly and cooperative relationship between the two countries is beneficial to both sides.