Site of Japan's germ-warfare headquarters in China reopens

A special exhibition exposing the atrocities of Unit 731, a notorious Japanese germ-warfare unit during World War II (WWII), reopened to the public on Friday at the site of the headquarters of Unit 731 in Harbin, the provincial capital of northeastern China's Heilongjiang Province.

The Special Exhibition of Historical Materials of Invading Japanese Army's Bacterial War in China presents over 2,000 pieces of files, documents, materials and literature related to Unit 731, all evidencing the invaders' crimes, with many newly found items.

"The medical journals on display this time indicate that during WWII, under the background of Japan's war mobilization, the Japanese medical community served the country's policy of colonist aggression, and carried out medical research taking the advantage of military aggression. The Japanese medical community cooperated with the military to conduct medical crimes. They once again prove that Unit 731, as the base of Japan's war-time medical crimes and nexus of personnel turnover, committed crimes which were top-down, massive and organized state crimes of Japan, in the nature of group crimes," said Jin Shicheng, deputy secretary general of the Harbin Research Institute on the History of Bacterial and Gas War of the Japanese Invasion in China.

At the reopened site, the wall of victims' names is updated with 2,805 names inscribed based on further studies on various historical records and materials.

"The reopening of the site of the headquarters of Unit 731 marks that we have achieved the original planning intention to have the site and new exhibition corroborate and complement each other. We are now presenting a multi-dimensional exhibition with relics, oral accounts and files, to warn and educate people, safeguard peace, bear the history in mind, never forget the national humiliation, and strive for a brighter future," said Zhang Yang, deputy director of the exhibition.

As Friday marks the National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims, a ceremony was held at the site for visitors to pay tribute to the victims.

Site of Japan's germ-warfare headquarters in China reopens

An Iranian delegation led by Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi arrived in Pakistan on Friday night to discuss regional developments and ongoing peace efforts, a spokesman for Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Tahir Andrabi, the spokesman, said in a social media post that Araghchi is scheduled to meet Pakistan's leadership to exchange views on the evolving regional situation and efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability.

Upon arrival, the Iranian foreign minister was received by Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, along with other senior officials.

Araghchi currently has no negotiation plans with U.S. representatives, but will convey messages to the U.S. side through Pakistani mediators, according to Iranian sources on Friday.

However, the White House said Friday that U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner are heading to Pakistan for talks with Araghchi this weekend.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who led the U.S. negotiating team during the first round of talks in Pakistan earlier this month, is not currently planning to attend the upcoming talks, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, adding he will be standing by and consulting Trump alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Earlier in the day, Araghchi said in a social media post that he was embarking on a regional tour that includes stops in Islamabad, Muscat and Moscow. Araghchi emphasized that the purpose of the visit is to closely coordinate with partners on bilateral affairs and to consult on the regional situation. He also noted that Iran's neighbors are a priority for Iran.

Iranian delegation led by FM arrives in Pakistan