China has seen a thriving film market during the May Day holiday running from May 1 to 5, as the box office revenue in the period had exceeded 400 million yuan (around 58.58 million U.S. dollars) by Sunday morning, according to data from online platforms.
The booming film market has also helped to boost tourism and consumption across the country, with people enjoying discounts in some scenic spots, stores and restaurants with movie ticket stubs.
China's May Day holiday box office exceeds 400 mln yuan
A French expert on international affairs urged Japan to squarely face up to and thoroughly reflect upon its invasion history as the world marks the 80th anniversary of the Tokyo Trial this year.
In an interview with the China Media Group (CMG) on Saturday, Sebastien Perimony from the International Schiller Institute said that Japan is pushing to revive militarism, which once again puts the world in danger.
"This year, we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Tokyo Trial, which adjudicated the crimes committed by Japan during World War II. At the same time, we see Japan reviving militarist policies, which again place the world in danger," said Perimony.
"The world stands at a crossroads today. On one side are those who seek war and mutual destruction, choosing conflict over cooperation. On the other side, as President Xi Jinping has said, are the efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind. I believe the 80th anniversary of the Tokyo Trial can serve as an opportunity for Japan to acknowledge the crimes it committed during World War II," Perimony said.
The French expert also criticized the repeated visits by Japanese right-wing politicians to the notorious Yasukuni Shrine, where convicted Class-A war criminals are enshrined, saying such behaviors constitute an insult and a provocation, and are very dangerous and worrying.
"We've seen that some members of Japan's ruling party and lawmakers have visited the Yasukuni Shrine, which has long been controversial because it honors World War II war criminals. I think such actions are shocking and provocative, amounting to a glorification of those who massacred the Chinese people. It is an insult and a provocation, and the repeated provocations are extremely dangerous and worrying," said Perimony.
From 1946 to 1948, the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, historically referred to as the Tokyo Trial, tried Japan's principal Class-A war criminals.
Nevertheless, Japan has failed to bring all Japanese war criminals to justice.
French expert urges Japan to thoroughly reflect on historical crimes
