Xi urges Japanese reflection on war anniversary

Chinese President Xi Jinping (C rear) addresses a symposium held for the occasion marking the 69th anniversary of victory in Anti-Japanese War and the World Anti-Fascist War at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2014. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday urged the Japanese government to admit to and reflect on its history of militarist aggression, as China marked the 69th anniversary of winning the war against Japanese invasion.

Addressing a symposium held for the occasion, Xi said the war brought calamity to the people of China and other Asian countries. The facts cannot be denied.

China is ready to promote the long-term, steady and healthy development of Sino-Japanese relations on the basis of the four political documents, he said, but stressed (Japan's) correct treatment of and deep reflection on past events is the political basis of bilateral ties.

With the utmost resolution and effort, we will join with people all over the world to safeguard the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the world war against fascism, he said.

China will allow neither denial nor distortion of this history, nor any return to militarism, he said. Facts are facts. Truth is truth. Any irresponsible words and actions that distort facts are in vain, he said.

"The black is black, you cannot turn it into white by denying it 10,000 times. The white is white, you can never turn it black by denying it 10,000 times," he said.

Japan must show a sense of responsibility for history, the region's peoples and the future, and help maintain Sino-Japanese friendship as well as the stability and development of Asia, he said.

He urged Japan to be prudent in dealing with historical issues, learn lessons and stick to the road of peaceful development.

The symposium was held on Wednesday afternoon by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the State Council and the Central Military Commission at the Great Hall of the People.

Earlier in the day, Xi and other leaders attended a ceremony to mark victory day at the Museum of the War of the Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, China's first such celebration since Sept. 3 was decreed an official observance day.