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A group of Chinese historians gathered at the Memorial Hall of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression Wednesday, to condemn Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's latest visit to Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine.
The Memorial Hall, situated beside the Lugou (Marco Polo) Bridge in Wanping city, west of Beijing, is dedicated to the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937-1945). Various relics are on display, including archives, guns, cannons and blood-stained clothing to illustrate the atrocities committed by the Japanese aggressors against the Chinese people.
"Heading straight for the Memorial Hall during his trip to China on Oct. 8, 2001, Koizumi offered his apology and condolences to the Chinese victims of Japanese aggression," recalled Chen Qigang, director of the memorial hall. "However, on Tuesday he has once again visited the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors 14 top war criminals among others, provoking indignation among the Chinese people and people of other Asian countries that suffered Japanese aggression."
"Koizumi paid homage to war criminals and placed the shrine visit and prayers for peace on an equal footing." Chen said," His absurdity hurt the feelings of the victims of the war."
Luo Huanzhang, a senior fellow at the Military History Department of the Chinese Academy of Military Science, said "In less than three years, Koizumi has made three shrine visits, thus setting a notorious precedent in the history of Japan since the end of the war."
"Disregarding the feelings of Chinese people and people of other war-ravaged countries, Koizumi's wrongdoing will have a long-term negative impact on the future of Sino-Japanese relations," he added.
Bian Xiuyue, with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, pointed out that "regardless of the excuses Koizumi found for his shrine visits, he cannot change historical facts."
"Koizumi's wrongdoing also undermined the efforts of the Japanese people to reflect on their history of aggression, and it is certain to be condemned by the peace-loving Japanese people," said Liu Shuli, president of the Society of History of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.
"We hope that Koizumi will face up to and reflect on the history of Japanese aggression ," he said, "only in this way, can he win the trust of the people of Asia and the world."
(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2003)
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