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Memorial for Korean who fought Japanese colonization

Updated: 2014-01-19 23:20
( Xinhua)

IMPACT ON MULTILATERAL RELATIONS

"The memorial hall symbolizes joint efforts of China and the ROK against Japan's expansionism," said Huang Dahui, professor of international relations at Renmin University in Beijing.

Huang added that the memorial is of considerable current significance and far reaching historical significance.

"After more than a century, Japan is still doing harm to its neighbors," said Huang, who called for Sino-ROK cooperation to address the issue.

Both China and the ROK have protested against Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to the Yasukuni Shrine last month.

Hong Lei, a spokesman of the Chinese Foreign Ministry said last Wednesday that Abe had denied the spirit of the Kono and Murayama statements by doing so.

The Kono Statement, issued by Japan's former chief Cabinet secretary Yohei Kono in 1993, acknowledged that the Japanese military and authorities forced Asian women into sex slavery during WWII, and pledged not to repeat historical mistakes.

The Murayama Danwa, issued by then Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama in 1995, is regarded as a broader apology for Japan's war crimes.

The Yasukuni Shrine is broadly seen as a symbol of Japanese militarism, with 14 convicted Japanese class-A WWII criminals enshrined there.

Abe's attempts to amend Japan's post-war pacifist constitution and strengthen its military might, show no remorse for Japan's past and pose a threat to peace and stability. Vigilance and a joint international effort are needed to to prevent a Japanese militarist resurgence.

In response to an ROK plan to apply to register records on Japan's wartime sex slaves with UNESCO, Hong said last Thursday that China will work with the ROK and urge Japan to understand and reflect on history.

"China is willing to work with other victim countries, including the ROK, to maintain historical justice," Hong said.

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