China urges concrete actions from Japan

BEIJING - Japanese leaders should reflect on Japan's history of aggression, correct mistakes and win the trust of Asian neighbors and international society, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Monday.

Hong made the remarks at a daily press briefing when asked to comment on Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Sunday.

Witnesses carried the truth about history

Anne Frank, a Jewish German teenage girl, hid in the house from Nazi persecution with her family from 1942 to 1944. The family were later found by German troops and Anne died in a concentration camp in 1945.

She wrote a diary that was later published and has made her a symbol of the struggle against prejudice and oppression.

During his visit, Abe said he would work on creating a peaceful world by "facing historical facts in a humble manner and handing them down to the next generation," according to media reports.

"We have taken note of relevant reports," said Hong. "(But) in response to Japan's stance on historical issues, we have always not only listened to what Japan says, but also watched what Japan really does."

Koichi Hagiuda, an aide to Abe, also said Sunday that Japan should consider issuing a new statement on wartime sex slavery after the government verifies how the Kono Statement was compiled.

The Kono Statement, made by then Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono in 1993, acknowledged the Japanese government and its army were involved in the use of wartime sex slaves.

"We demand the Japanese side faithfully follow its commitments on historical issues, correct its wrong behavior and win the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community through concrete actions," Hong said.