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from The Telegraph entitled
China and Britain won the war
together
Japan’s refusal to face up to its aggressive past is posing
a serious threat to global peace
By Liu Xiaoming : the Chinese ambassador to the United
Kingdom
01 Jan 2014
In the Harry Potter story, the dark wizard Voldemort dies
hard because the seven horcruxes, which contain parts of his
soul, have been destroyed. If militarism is like the
haunting Voldemort of Japan, the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo is
a kind of horcrux, representing the darkest parts of that
nation’s soul.
Last week, in flagrant disregard of the feelings of his
Asian neighbors, Shinzo Abe, the Japanese prime minister,
paid homage at the Yasukuni Shrine, where 14 Class A war
criminals – defined as those who committed “crimes against
peace” – are enshrined. They were among the 28 Japanese
political and military leaders convicted by an international
military tribunal after the Second World War.
The Yasukuni Shrine was established more than 150 years ago,
and Asian people know very well how it has since been used
by Japanese militarists as a spiritual symbol to launch wars
of aggression. In addition, it is deeply offensive to
witness convicted war criminals being venerated. These were
leaders found guilty of inflicting indescribable suffering
on countless individuals during the war. Rightly, within
hours of Mr Abe’s visit, there were strong condemnations
from China, South Korea and across the international
community.
Visits to the shrine by Japanese leaders cannot simply be an
internal affair for Japan, or a personal matter for any
Japanese official. Nor does it concern only China-Japan and
Korea-Japan relations. Deep down, paying this kind of homage
reveals whether Japan is trustworthy. It raises serious
questions about attitudes in Japan and its record of
militarism, aggression and colonial rule.
At stake is the credit of that country’s leaders in
observing the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and
upholding peace. It is a choice between aggression and
non-aggression, between good and evil and between light and
dark. Regrettably, what Mr Abe did has raised the spectre of
militarism rising again in Japan.
Mr Abe’s track record provides evidence. Since taking office
in 2012, he has been talking enthusiastically about justice,
democracy, peace and dialogue. But the reality is seen in
his actions. He is unrepentant about Japan’s militarist past
and makes no apologies for it. He has openly questioned
whether his country should be defined as an “aggressor”, and
did his utmost to beautify its history of militaristic
aggression and colonial rule.
In May 2013, Mr Abe caused great offence in China and Korea
when he was photographed posing in a military jet boldly
marked with the number 731: this was the code of an infamous
Japanese biological warfare research facility performing
human experiments in China during the war.
With these precedents, the world should be very alert. Mr
Abe wishes to amend the post-war pacifist constitution,
imposed on Japan by the USA. Close attention should be paid
to his colleagues, such as Taro Aso, the deputy prime
minister, who asserted that Japan could “learn” from Nazi
Germany about revising constitutions. Mr Abe has worked hard
to portray China as a threat, aiming to sow discord among
Asia-Pacific nations, raising regional tensions and so
creating a convenient excuse for the resurrection of
Japanese militarism.
Last year, I explained in a newspaper article the key
principles concerning the Diaoyu Islands in the East China
Sea, and pointed out the severe consequences of Japan’s
provocations. This time, I believe Mr Abe has continued his
brinksmanship by visiting the Yasukuni Shrine; it has
rekindled bitter memories of Japan’s past-war crimes.
We know from history that a country that starts a war and
ends up in defeat has two options. One is to face up
squarely to its past, make sincere apologies and renounce
militarism, as Germany did. The German approach has
contributed to regional stability and world peace. It has
earned respect and acclaim from the whole world.
The other option is to deny past aggression, allow
militarism to rise and raise the threat of war.
Unfortunately, Mr Abe’s actions confirm that he favours the
second option: he seems determined to lead Japan on to a
perilous path. The international community should be on high
alert.
Next week, The Railway Man, a film based on a true story,
will be released. It tells the tragic story of a British PoW
tortured by the Japanese in the Second World War. The film
is not only about the atrocities committed by his Japanese
captors, but also how one of them is harrowed by his own
past. His redemption is only effected through deep remorse
and penitence.
China and Britain were wartime allies. Our troops fought
shoulder to shoulder against Japanese aggressors and made
enormous sacrifices. Sixty-eight years have passed since
that horrible war. Yet there are always some incorrigible
people in Japan who show no signs of remorse for war crimes.
Instead, they seek to reinterpret history. They pose a
serious threat to global peace. The Chinese will not allow
such attempts. I am sure British and all other peace-loving
folk will not remain indifferent.
China and Britain are both victors of the Second World War.
We played a key role in establishing the post-war
international order that has delivered great benefits for
mankind. Our two countries have a common responsibility to
work with the international community to oppose and condemn
any words or actions aimed at invalidating the peaceful
post-war consensus and challenging international order. We
should join together both to uphold the UN Charter and to
safeguard regional stability and world peace.
The
counter argument
(against the persistent claims made by Chinese government)
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屋久島方丈記 