China urges Abe to face up to history

BEIJING - China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying on Wednesday pressed Japan's politicians to face up to the country's aggression past to avoid souring relations with other Asian countries.

Hua's remarks at a regular press conference came in response to a question about Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's recent refusal to take a stand on Japanese aggression against China and other Asian countries during World War II.

The aggression war waged by Japanese militarists has brought severe disasters to Asian countries, including China and the Republic of Korea, Hua said, noting that the facts of Japan's invasion are irrefutable and irreversible.

Hua said facing up to history is an important political foundation for Japan to develop relations with other Asian nations.

Only when a country and its political leader honestly face up to history and reality and respect historical facts can it create a future and have hope, she said.

She called on Japan to listen to the just appeals of the international community, respect, acknowledge and reflect on history, and properly handle historical issues with responsibility.

Otherwise, Japan's relations with other Asian countries may not lead to a bright future, she warned.