Family members of Filipino "comfort women" victims held a protest on Roxas Boulevard in Manila on Wednesday, demanding that the Japanese government apologize for the wartime atrocities committed against their loved ones.
In 2012, the day of Aug 14 was designated the International Memorial Day for "Comfort Women" by the 11th Asian Alliance Conference for "Comfort Women."
This year, on the somber date, victims' family members carried photos of their deceased relatives, calling for justice for the "Lolas," a Tagalog word that means grandmother, referring to the elderly women who were forced into sexual slavery by Japanese troops during World War II.
"Our demand remains as justice should be rendered in the form of an official public apology from the Japanese government, and second the official reparations that should have been paid a long time ago by the Japanese government," said Sharon Silva, coordinator of non-profit organization "Lila Pilipina" (League of Filipino Grandmother).
During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, more than 1,000 women were forcibly recruited as "comfort women." Today, only a handful of aging Filipino survivors remain, having never received a formal apology from the Japanese government. Even local comfort women memorial statues have been removed under pressure from Japan.
The victims' families cried out that the crimes committed by Japan during WWII must not be forgotten, and the horrors of war should never be borne again.
Families of "comfort women" victims demand formal apology from Japanese government
Hundreds of representatives from Chinese and German companies gathered in the German city of Frankfurt on Friday for a conference to promote environmental, social and governance (ESG) best practices in business.
Under the slogan "Together for the future," more than 500 business representatives gathered to discuss ESG issues when it comes to investing and operating business at the First Sino-European Corporate ESG Best Practice Conference.
The Chinese Consulate in Frankfurt hosted the event.
"I think that's the common values we are aspiring for not only the Europeans, Americans, but we too. For these common values, we want to work together with European partners and also to want to further enhance Chinese companies' image here, because we want to show the European public that we are not only good at quality enterprise, but also good with our ideas and high standards on environment and social responsibilities," said Huang Yiyang, Chinese Consul General in Frankfurt.
Chinese petrochemical giant Sinopec won the honor of the Best Environmental Protection Case at the conference. For Sinopec, good ESG practices include seeking to further develop its renewable sector.
"We have only one beautiful Earth, which is the home of all of us. Green and low carbon development concerns the future of all humankind. Exploration and innovation in ESG practice have made it possible to promote global sustainable development. Sinopec will continue to improve its ESG management standard, bring more benefits to shareholders, employees, business partners, and society," said Yu Yongsheng, general manager of the brand department of Sinopec Group.
The main message from this conference has been that it's only through working together that the world's big challenges can be faced.
"I completely share your view that when we look at the environmental impacts, when we look at the changes in our environment, this is not something that one country in the world can solve alone. It can only be done if many important players get involved. You know the EU's position very well and we are pleased that China is also increasingly focusing on these issues and also seeing that it has the best long-term economic relations," said Ulrich Caspar, president of Frankfurt Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
While ESG may have its roots in Europe, there are areas that German manufacturing can learn from China, for example, the automobile manufacturing sector, some Germany attendees noted.
"At the moment it's the car manufacturing industry. It's very important because China is a bit better than Germany at the moment and therefore Germany has to learn from China. This is important when you see the ten cities, for instance, Beijing, millions of cars on the road and they all have to be e-cars, of course," said Walter Doering, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economics for the State of Baden-Wurttemburg.
China, Germany hold conference for ESG best practice
