LEXIE TUCKER WRITES – It takes a strong country to admit its past faults, which is something Japan is still working towards. 2013 commemorates the 68th anniversary of the Chinese people’s triumph over the Japanese in the War of Resistance and the World Anti-Fascist War.
For those unfamiliar with the War of Resistance, it occurred between 1937 and 1945. The conflict was the result of a decades-long Japanese imperialist policy aiming for domination of China, both politically and militarily, to control the nation’s raw materials and other economic resources. During this time, the Chinese faced several struggles and made many sacrifices.
Hua Chunying, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, recently responded to a media request interested in China’s comments on Japan’s 1945 defeat. She stated that, “The victory was a great triumph of justice over evil, light over darkness and progressive forces over reactionary elements.” But if China was the victor, what’s with all the hubbub?
The issue at hand is the fact that Japan continues to deny and, at times, has attempted to justify its history of aggression in China. On October 11, China pleaded with Japan to step up and admit past transgressions. Spokeswoman Hua said that China yearns for Japan to take responsibility for its past and to “earnestly reflect on history and adhere to a peaceful development path.”
It is often said that history repeats itself. If Japan doesn’t own up to this sooner rather than later, it could miss the chance to learn from its vital mistakes.
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http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2013-10/09/content_17018381.htm