Sofia: China hopes that Japan will take a hard look at its responsibility for the war crimes and draw lessons from history, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday. Guo made the remarks at a regular news briefing when asked to comment on Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's address at the general debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, in which he shared his view on historical issues.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Guo highlighted that Prime Minister Ishiba, in his speech, stated that "No country can forge a path to a bright future unless it squarely faces history, and we must not again repeat the devastation of war," and that "The people of Asia showed a spirit of tolerance in accepting Japan after the war." However, Guo pointed out that the speech did not mention "aggression" or "apology" and evaded Japan's responsibility as the perpetrator of war.

Prime Minister Ishiba had previously emphasized that Japan upholds the spirit of facing history squarely and looking to the future, continually pursuing a path of peaceful development. Ishiba also stated that Japan should reflect on history and remember the lessons to avoid repeating past mistakes of war, Guo noted.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as highlighted by Guo. China maintains that correctly viewing and treating history, along with taking concrete actions to reflect on and apologize for the history of aggression, is a vital prerequisite for Japan's post-war return to the international community. This is crucial for the political foundation of China-Japan relations, Japan's ties with neighboring countries, and Japan's global image.

Guo emphasized the importance of the commitment made in the China-Japan Joint Statement, where it is clearly written that "The Japanese side is keenly conscious of the responsibility for the serious damage that Japan caused in the past to the Chinese people through war, and deeply reproaches itself." He stressed that Japan needs to make a clean break with any actions that seek to whitewash or cover the history of aggression, follow the path of peaceful development, and earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the rest of the world through its actions.

"This is the responsible thing to do for history, people, and the future," the spokesperson added.