China calls on Japan for action, not words, to show remorse

0 Comments | Asian Political News, August 19, 2002

BEIJING, Aug. 16 Kyodo

China called on Japan for action and not just words Friday to show its sorrow over World War II in response to Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's expression of ''deep remorse'' Thursday.

''China hopes Japan will show remorse for its wartime aggression through its actions instead of just verbally,'' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan was quoted as saying by the official Xinhua News Agency.

While stating China noted Koizumi's expression of remorse Thursday to mark the 57th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II, Kong called on Japan to draw lessons from history and to continue to keep to the path of peaceful development.

Thursday, Kong criticized the visit by some Japanese cabinet members to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, claiming Japan is ''not facing up to its history of military aggression.''

Koizumi, who angered Beijing early in the year by visiting the same shrine, avoided joining other Japanese politicians in their Thursday visit to the shrine that honors Japan's 2.5 million war dead, who include 14 Class-A war criminals.