Japan should retrospect its militarist history of aggression, draw lessons from the past, and properly handle the problems left over by history, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kong Quan said yesterday.  

When asked to comment on the resolution adopted by the Japanese House of Representatives yesterday on the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, Kong said the war of aggression initiated by the Japanese militarists brought immeasurable misfortune and disasters to peoples in China and other neighboring countries in Asia, and the Japanese people as well.

While the 60th anniversary of the victory of the world's anti-Fascist war and the Chinese people's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression is celebrated, the Japanese side should retrospect its militarist history of aggression, he said.

However, Kong said, it is regretful that for a certain period of time, some political forces in Japan endeavored to deny, put less emphasis on or even beautify its history of aggression.

There are no prospects in such behavior as to turn back the wheel of history, he said.

Japan's official paper exaggerates 'China threat'

Japan's white paper of national defense in 2005, which was issued by the Japanese cabinet yesterday, said Japan should be alert to China's military modernization, and be attentive to the movement of China's naval vessels.

Kong said it is groundless and irresponsible for Japan to exaggerate the so-called "China threat" in its official document, and such practice of Japan would bring harm to both sides' efforts to establish mutual trust on security.

"It would mislead the public, result in each other's suspicion and opposition in emotions, and harm the Sino-Japanese relations," he said.

China hopes that Japan would take into account the long-term development of Sino-Japanese relations and do more things conducive to the increase of mutual trust and friendly feelings between the two countries, not going to the opposite, he said.

China mourns Sudanese first vice president's death

When asked to make comments on the death of Sudanese First Vice President John Garang, Kong said, "Garang made important contribution to the realization of north-south peace in Sudan" and China expresses deep condolences over his death.

Garang was killed in a helicopter crash on Saturday, three weeks after he took post of the first vice president in Sudan's unity government, created in accordance with the peace deal.

Vice President Zeng Qinghong has sent a message to Sudanese Vice President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha, offering sincere sympathy to Garang's family and the Sudanese people.

China hopes that the peace process would continue to move forward in Sudan, Kong said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 3, 2005)