1. Q: Massive interest follows the August 29 statement by the Chinese Embassy spokesperson rebuking Japanese Ambassador’s remarks on the South China Sea issue, with many Filipinos hoping to learn more about the Oki-no-Tori Reef. Can we have further comment on this topic?
A: The Oki-no-Tori Reef is a stand-alone rock in the western Pacific Ocean, with only two tiny portions naturally protruding above water at high tide, no larger than two king-size beds. Japan, ironically claims jurisdiction over 700,000 square kilometers of sea area thereof. Meanwhile, Japan cites the so-called South China Sea arbitration to challenge China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. This shows how discretionary Japan all along is about international laws. They are so unaffected by the true spirit of rule of law that international laws and rules, in their opinion, are only applicable when deemed desirable.
This also reveals the nature of the so-called South China Sea arbitration and its award as mere tools of political manipulation by certain countries, and thus in no way represent the international law. China’s non-acceptance of this illegal award is a true act in upholding sanctity of the international rule of law.
Worth pointing out is Japan’s exploitation of disputes between China and neighboring countries under the pretext of “rules”. Their true intention is to cause trouble in the South China Sea, disrupt stability in China’s neighborhood and in turn to contain China.
2. Q: Today (September 3) marks the 79th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. During World War II, peoples of China and the Philippines fought side by side against the brutal acts of Japanese invaders and sacrificed tremendously. In a recent statement, the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines unfortunately downplayed the atrocities of the Japanese aggressive war by footnoting them simply as “history issues.” As fellow World War II victim, many Filipinos have expressed keenness to understand the history. What is the Chinese Embassy’s comment on this?
A: On this historically significant occasion, we commemorate the heroes from China and the Philippines who sacrificed themselves for the victory of the wars of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.
China and the Philippines have shared kinship and destiny. During World War II, Japanese militarists launched the aggressive war, inflicting suffering on both our peoples among other Asian countries. The Chinese people endured atrocities such as the Nanjing Massacre, which led to the death of 300,000 civilians, horrific gas and biological warfare and unethical human experimentation, and the abhorrent “comfort women” system. The Philippine people suffered tragedies including the Bataan Death March and the Manila Massacre. These are not only painful memories for China and the Philippines but for all humanity. We must also remember the brave overseas Chinese who sacrificed their lives in the Philippines, including the warriors of the Philippine-Chinese Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Forces (Wha-Chi), the Tsinoy community leaders, and the nine Chinese diplomats who resisted the Japanese occupation and gave their lives to protect their compatriots, among them Yang Guangsheng, the then Chinese Consul General in the Philippines, who was only 42 years old when killed by the Japanese invaders in Manila. This heroic and tragic history deserves our eternal remembrance.
As the Philippine national hero José Rizal once said, “Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan.” (He who does not know how to look back at where he came from will never get to his destination.). We should learn from history, cherish the hard-won peace and stability in our region, and remain vigilant against the resurgence of Japanese militarism. However, it is deeply regrettable and concerning that the Japanese government has yet to fully acknowledge and deeply reflect on the crimes committed during World War II. Even more troubling is that some high-ranking Japanese officials have not stopped visiting the Yasukuni Shrine, place where 14 Class-A WWII war criminals are worshiped. These developments reflect Japan’s wrong attitude towards its own invasion history, continue to hurt the feelings of the victimized countries including China, and violate Japan’s statements on historical issues and commitments to correct them.
We urge Japan to genuinely face and reflect on its invasion history and war crimes, and to cease all actions that glorify invasion wars or distort historical facts. Only by truly discarding militarism can Japan earn the trust and respect of its Asian neighbors and the international community, and avoid recurrence of historic tragedies.