Take objective view of scholar's remarks on Japan's militarism

Historian Xiao Gongqin is in the media spotlight again. Like a huge rock dropped into a lake which triggers a series of waves, his remark that militarism does not exist in Japan has been widely questioned and criticized.

Many netizens, perhaps overcome by emotion, have lashed out at Xiao for what he said at a forum sponsored by a Beijing-based newspaper, the Global Times, on Saturday. Some have even questioned his character.

It is not clear whether Xiao's remark has been taken out of context, because the newspaper only published excerpts from the speech he delivered at the forum, and the historian has not yet responded to public criticism.