Q:It has been reported that some right-wing groups of Japan plan to stage an anti-China rally in Osaka on Jan. 23rd in an attempt to deny the existence of the Nanjing Massacre. What is the comment from the Chinese side?


A: We would like to expres our strong concern over the attempt by the Japanese rightist forces to stage an anti-China rally in the Osaka International Peace Center in the coming days to deny the existence of the Nanjing Massacre and have repeatedly lodged solemn representations with the Japanese side through diplomatic channels. The Nanjing Massacre was a brutal crime committed by the Japanese militarists to the Chinese people. With iron-clad evidence, it has been acknowledged by the international community and is irrefutable. The motive of the Japanese rightist forces in plotting this rally is clear, which is to distort historic fact, whitewash the aggrestion atrocities, hurt the feelings of the Chinese people and undermine the overall picture of Sino-Janpanese friendship. The Chinese Government and all Chinese people including the victims of the Nanjing Massacre would like to express their utmost indigination over this.


The question of history bear on the polictical basis of Sino-Japanese relations. The Japanese Government has clearly acknowledged its agression against China in the past in a series of documents including the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement and expressed its deep remorse. We attach importance to the statement of the Japanese side, but greater importance to its concrete actions. We hope that the Japanese Government would attach great importance to the seriousness and harmful effect of the current developments, adopt forceful measures to prevent the situation from going any further and maintain the hard-won bilateral relations.