China urges defense of Tokyo Trials verdicts, postwar order

China called on the international community to reject attempts to distort the history of Japanese wartime aggression and uphold the postwar international order on Tuesday, as a photo exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials was held at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said that the Tokyo Trials were a historic judgment in which peace prevailed over violence and justice triumphed over evil, describing it as an important part of the postwar international order.

Guo made the remarks at a regular news briefing when asked about the exhibition — titled "Justice and Peace for All Humanity" — which opened on Monday, attracting diplomats, officials from international organizations, and visitors from various sectors.

The exhibition features historical photographs, archives, and documents that present evidence of Japan's military aggression and the serious war crimes committed by Japanese militarists, Guo said.

He noted that the United Nations was founded on humanity's profound reflection on the suffering caused by war, adding that holding the exhibition at the UN headquarters was fully consistent with the international community's shared commitment to remembering history and cherishing peace.

Recognition and acceptance of the Tokyo Trials were prerequisites for Japan's return to the international community after World War II, Guo said.

He expressed concern that, eight decades later, right-wing forces in Japan continued to disregard the trials' historical conclusions, deny or glorify Japan's wartime aggression, promote distorted interpretations of history, and openly venerate convicted war criminals.

Such attempts should be jointly resisted by the international community, he said, warning that those who undermine peace and challenge justice and human conscience would once again face the judgment of history and justice.

As a major force in the World Anti-Fascist War, China stands ready to work with peace-loving countries and peoples worldwide to uphold historical truth, defend the postwar international order, and safeguard international fairness and justice, Guo said.