On April 21, 2002, Vice Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing urgently
summoned Japanese Ambassador to China Koreshige Anami. He was
ordered to make solemn representations with the Japanese side on
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit to Tokyo's
Yasukuni Shrine on the same day.
Li
said that the Japanese leader had visited the shrine again, in
defiance of the strong opposition from the people of Japan's
neighboring countries in Asia following his previous visit. To
revisit the shrine was an erroneous action that harms the feelings
of the Chinese people and is detrimental to Sino-Japanese
relations. The Chinese side is strongly dissatisfied and is firmly
opposed to Japan's action.
The Yasukuni Shrine is a psychological pillar and tool of Japanese
militarism to launch aggressions abroad before the war. It still
honors 14 Class A war criminals who committed heinous crimes in
China and some other countries.
How Japanese leaders treat the issue of Yasukuni Shrine reflects
the Japanese government's attitude on the war of aggression and
influences whether Japan can take the road of peace and
development. China, proceeding from the maintenance of peace and
justice and the overall interests of China-Japan relations, has
been resolutely opposed to visit by Japanese leaders to the
Yasukuni Shrine in any form or at any time.
Li
said that China is the biggest victim of the war of aggression
launched by Japanese militarists. In China-Japan Joint Statement,
the Japanese government deeply feels the responsibility of
inflicting, though war in the past, upon the Chinese people great
suffering and profoundly regrets it. In 1995, Japanese prime
minister issued a speech on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of
the war, and expressed the willingness to admit the facts in
history that Japan invaded and established colonial rule on its
close Asian neighbors, deeply regretted it and apologized.
Afterwards, successive Japanese cabinets all explicitly stated that
it is the official stand of the Japanese government. Prime Minister
Koizumi issued a speech at Lugouqiao Museum on the Anti-Japanese
War in October last year, admitting aggression, regretting the war,
and extending condolences and an apology. The words of
self-examination are still fresh on the ears. However, the Japanese
side again took an erroneous act on that day. It is unacceptable in
terms of feelings, reason, oriental ethic and international
morals.
Li
said that humankind has entered the 21st century. Peace,
development and cooperation are the trend of the times. Japanese
leaders should understand that the Japanese people, who have
suffered a lot from the war, will not allow their own country to
return to the path of militarism. The Chinese and Asian people will
not forget the appalling tragedies caused by Japanese militarism in
Nanjing and elsewhere in Asia. Besides, people will not forget the
various barbarian acts by Japanese militarism on the Pacific Ocean.
The truth of history will not be easily forgotten, slighted or
betrayed.
Doesn't Japan want to shake off the shadow of history and play an
international role as soon as possible? At present, it is
imperative that the international community maintain world peace
and stability. If a leader of a country does not hold a correct
attitude towards the past war of aggression and the war criminals
at that time, how can he win credit from the people of the
world?
Li
pointed out that the Chinese side has always attached importance to
friendly relations between China and Japan, and worked
unremittingly towards that end. The Japanese side has created time
and again incidents on major issues concerning the political
foundation of China-Japan relations, hurt the feelings of the
Chinese people, and disturbed and damaged China-Japan relations.
Japanese leaders should ask themselves and admit their errors and
responsibility.
Holding history as a mirror and facing future is the most
fundamental and precious lesson derived from the development
process of bilateral relations. The Japanese side should attach
great importance to China's solemn stand and profound concern,
adopt concrete measures, eliminate its bad image and prevent
similar incidents from happening again.