President,

The Japanese representative distorted facts in his statement and misled the international community. China firmly opposes and categorically rejects such actions. We therefore feel compelled to respond in an unequivocal manner.

First, Taiwan's return to China is an important outcome of the victory in World War II and an integral part of the post-war international order. The erroneous remarks by Sanae Takaichi seriously violate the obligations of a defeated country under the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Declaration, and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender. They also constitute a serious breach of the fundamental principles of international relations enshrined in the UN Charter, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs. In essence, they attempt to deny the outcomes of World War II and overturn the post-war international order. Such a Japan has become a disruptor of international order. 

Second, during World War II, Japan waged wars of aggression, inflicting profound suffering and catastrophic consequences upon the peoples of Asia. The International Military Tribunal for the Far East systematically exposed the crimes of Japanese militarism through its trials. However, some Japanese politicians and forces have never truly repented or acknowledged their guilt. Instead, they have attempted to deny these crimes and falsify history. Their so-called reflection on the war focuses, ironically, on why Japan was defeated, rather than on its war crimes. Such a Japan is a perpetrator of wars of aggression.

Third, from Japanese leaders threatening the use of force against China, to senior officials in the Prime Minister's Office publicly advocating nuclear armament, to attempts to revise the three national security documents and signal changes to the three non-nuclear principles, all of this exposes the efforts of Japan's right-wing forces to promote re-militarization and return to the old path of military expansion. These actions pose new threats to regional and global peace. Such a Japan has become a resurrector of militarism. The international community must prevent Japan from embarking on the old and evil path of militarism again.

Fourth, during World War II, Japan committed heinous atrocities, including the forced recruitment of comfort women, massacres, human experimentation, and biological warfare. In recent years, the Japanese government has promoted a “Japan-first” narrative, while xenophobia has continued to intensify. Indigenous peoples, ethnic minorities, and foreign residents face severe discrimination. Such a Japan is, in every sense, a blatant violator of human rights. 

Fifth, the Takaichi administration has grossly interfered in China's internal affairs, hinted at military intervention in the Taiwan question and deployed offensive weapons in areas adjacent to Taiwan of China, deliberately creating regional tensions and provoking military confrontation. While Japan claims to be a peace-loving nation, in reality, its right wing forces persistently provoke neighboring countries, create troubles and then fabricate a narrative of being threatened, using so-called “survival” and “defense” as pretexts to blind its people to the chariot of war. Such a Japan, in fact, is a true instigator of regional tensions. 

China will work with all peace-loving nations to expose Japan's true colors and jointly uphold the international rule of law and the victorious outcomes of World War II. We strongly urge Japan to engage in serious soul-searching, genuinely acknowledge and repent for its wrongdoing, stop making provocations and crossing red lines, and earn the trust of China and the international community through concrete actions.

Thank you, President. 

Second Round of Remarks by Ambassador Sun Lei in Reply to Japan

President,

The representative of Japan has not only refused to admit Japan's wrongdoings but also continued to twist the facts. China is compelled to respond again. I wish to raise four questions:

First, if Japan truly abides by the UN Charter and stays committed to maintaining the international order, why does the leader of Japan—a defeated nation in World War II—dare to interfere in the internal affairs of a victorious country and even threaten the use of force against that country?

Second, if Japan is truly a peace-loving country, as it claims to be a country striving for a nuclear-weapon-free world, why does the Japanese government clamor to revise the Three Non-Nuclear Principles and even clamor to introduce nuclear weapons?

Third, if Japan truly upholds the international rule of law, why has it failed to effectively fulfill its international legal obligations, as contained in the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Declaration, the Instrument of Surrender of Japan, and other international legal instruments, to completely disarm and not maintain any industries capable of rearmament?

Fourth, if the Japanese government truly keeps its position on the Taiwan question unchanged, why can't it reiterate completely and accurately its position on the Taiwan question, as stipulated in the 1972 China-Japan Joint Statement?

Last but not least, I wish to reiterate that China's demand for Japan has always been categorically clear: that is, to face history squarely, reflect on its wrongdoings, withdraw erroneous remarks, and stop shaping a new type of militarism. We hope that Japan can take concrete actions to come clean with the people of China and the world at large.

Thank you, President.