What happens when decades-old secrets emerge from a dusty archive? For many, it’s a stark reminder that the past never truly stays buried.
On Thursday, Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese mainland’s Foreign Ministry, addressed new declassified documents released by the Russian government. The archives detail chilling records of the Japanese army’s Unit 731, a clandestine biological warfare unit active during World War II.
These files paint a grim picture: human experiments, weaponized pathogens and blatant violations of international law in occupied territories. “The evidence is irrefutable and undeniable,” Mao said, urging Japan to “genuinely respect the feelings of the Chinese people and other victimized nations.”
Marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the spokesperson stressed: “Only by facing history squarely can one gain respect; only by using history as a mirror can one forge a future.” She called on Japan to completely break with militarism and take concrete steps to eliminate its pernicious legacy.
For young global citizens, business innovators and thought leaders alike, these revelations are more than a history lesson. They spotlight the importance of transparency, the moral imperative to confront difficult truths, and the role of historical awareness in shaping a peaceful future. As we digest these documents, the challenge is clear: remember the past so we don’t repeat it.
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China urges Japan to deeply reflect on its history of aggression
cgtn.com
