Japanese representatives urge gov't reflection on history after watching Nanjing Massacre film

Japanese representatives, after watching a Chinese film about the Nanjing Massacre, urged their government to face up to and reflect on the history of militarist aggression, emphasizing the importance of learning from the past to prevent the recurrence of war.

The China Media Group, in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Japan, held an event on Wednesday in Tokyo to screen the film "Dead to Rights."

"Dead to Rights" centers on a group of Chinese civilians who take refuge in a photography studio during the Japanese aggressors' brutal occupation of Nanjing.

In a desperate attempt to stay alive, they are forced to assist a Japanese military photographer in developing film -- only to discover that the negatives contain damning evidence of atrocities committed by Japanese forces across the city. They secretly keep the negatives and risk their lives to deliver them to the outside world, hoping that the truth would be revealed.

During the event, Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao said the Nanjing Massacre committed by Japanese invaders represents one of the darkest moments in human history.

Noting that history is the best textbook and reality is the best antidote, Wu expressed the willingness to work with people with vision from all sectors in Japan to draw lessons from history, look to the future, and avoid such tragic history to repeat itself.

Some Japanese representatives also shared their thoughts after watching the film.

"I think the Chinese saying of learning from history must be recognized by as many people as possible. There is a significant gap in history education in Japan today. If history education is not properly carried out, and if Japan's leadership strays from the right path, the public may easily follow blindly. I am deeply concerned about this situation," said Tamiko Kanzaki, a former translator for Japan's national broadcaster NHK.

"While Japanese media often discuss atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as the bombing of Tokyo, they completely overlook the atrocities committed by Japan in China and across Asia. Events there are seldom mentioned. I believe it is essential to reexamine this issue through various means, including films like this one, to help Japan rebuild a genuine sense of pacifism," said Makoto Konishi, CEO and editor-in-chief of Social Criticism Co., Ltd.

Japanese representatives urge gov't reflection on history after watching Nanjing Massacre film

Japanese representatives urge gov't reflection on history after watching Nanjing Massacre film

Japanese representatives urge gov't reflection on history after watching Nanjing Massacre film

Japanese representatives urge gov't reflection on history after watching Nanjing Massacre film

Japanese representatives urge gov't reflection on history after watching Nanjing Massacre film

Japanese representatives urge gov't reflection on history after watching Nanjing Massacre film

China is willing to strengthen communication, enhance trust, eliminate interference, and deepen cooperation with Canada to bring bilateral relations forward on a steady and sound track in solid strides under the new circumstances, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand in Beijing on the day.

Referring to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to China, the first by a Canadian prime minister in eight years, Wang said the trip marks a milestone in bilateral ties and signals a turning point in the relationship.

The leaders of the two countries will hold meetings and talks, which are expected to open up new prospects for bilateral relations, said Wang.

The world today is undergoing profound and complex changes, and the impact of China-Canada relations transcends the bilateral scope, Wang noted.

Wang said that China and Canada have different social systems, stemming from different historical and cultural heritage, and based on the choices of their respective people.

He urged both sides to view each other in a rational and amicable manner with an inclusive mindset, handle issues on the basis of mutual respect, focus on the agenda of cooperation, and send positive messages so as to foster optimism, inject greater confidence into the development of bilateral relations, and jointly build a new type of strategic partnership between China and Canada.

Anand said the new Canadian government attaches great importance to relations with China. She also added that Prime Minister Carney looks forward to engaging in in-depth exchanges with Chinese leaders during the visit to set the course for the development of bilateral relations, resume dialogue in various fields, pursue more mutually beneficial outcomes, enhance coordination and cooperation in multilateral affairs, and further advance the strategic partnership between the two countries.

China ready to work for steady, sound ties with Canada: FM