China urges Japan to deeply reflect on its history of aggression and properly handle issues left over from history including the forced conscription of "comfort women" with an honest and responsible attitude, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday.
Guo was responding to a media query about reports that experts from the United Nations Human Rights Council have expressed grave concern about Japan's denial of the right to truth, justice and reparation of "comfort women" survivors, and called on Japan to make apologies and full compensation, and preserve relevant historical accounts in textbooks.
"The forced conscription of 'comfort women' is a serious crime committed by Japanese militarism that severely trampled on the rights of the victims. The evidence of the crime is ironclad and undeniable. The UN human rights mechanism made a clear statement to once again express condemnation and outrage over Japanese militarist crimes, demonstrating the international community's commitment to defending fairness and justice," Guo said.
"We urge the Japanese side to deeply reflect on its history of aggression and the disastrous suffering it has inflicted on the victims, earnestly heed and act on the suggestions given by the UN human rights experts, and properly handle the issue of 'comfort women' and other issues left over from history with an honest and responsible attitude, to earn trust from its Asian neighbors and the international community with concrete actions," the spokesman said.
China urges Japan to properly handle issue of "comfort women": FM spokesman
Serbia's Agriculture Minister Dragan Glamocic hailed the surge in exports to China following the launch of a landmark free trade agreement (FTA) in recent years, calling the pact a strategic relationship of mutual vision and voicing optimism for deeper bilateral cooperation.
The FTA between China and Serbia, signed in October 2023 and implemented on July 1, 2024, eliminates tariffs on roughly 90 percent of bilateral trade. More than 60 percent of goods became duty-free immediately upon its entry into force, marking a decisive step in deepening economic ties.
He said the agreement has reshaped Serbia’s trade profile, fueling a 69-percent jump in agricultural exports while accelerating imports of Chinese technologies and farm mechanization.
"The relationship between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Serbia, I would describe as a long-term, strategic relationship of mutual political and clear economic vision.The Free Trade Agreement between our countries was signed in 2023. It was introduced in 2024. As a result, our trade exchange has greatly improved, especially in the field of agriculture. We can say from that moment our exports to China grew for 69 percent. We have also made easier the import of certain things, such as mechanization and digital technologies, from the People's Republic of China to Serbia," said Glamocic.
"Our traditional products, such as wine, our domestic brandy, our honey, dried plums, frozen raspberries, similarly, imports of modern technologies from China are increasing, mechanization also, which really improves our agriculture business in Serbia. So I am an optimist that it will get better and better every day," he added.
The minister spoke highly of Serbia's partnership with China and voiced hope for broader cooperation in the future.
"What I would expect from China is that we sometimes try to speed up these procedures as much as possible. It is especially an honor for us when such a small country has such a status in the People's Republic of China. We were the first country to sign this type of strategic document in Europe, and we have reached the highest possible level among the two countries," he said.
Serbian agriculture minister reports record export growth to China
