Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian

The "Enemy State Clauses" is an important provision of the UN Charter. As we mark 80 years of the Tokyo Trials, to reaffirm these clauses and underline their binding force is of particular importance for defending the outcomes of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War and thwarting the resurrection of militarism, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wednesday.

On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov told the media that Japan was initially designated as an "enemy state" in the UN Charter. He sincerely hoped that Japan read the Charter in its entirety, including Article 107, namely the "Enemy State Clauses." Japan joined the UN after having atoned for its militaristic policies and the crimes it committed. By joining the UN, Japan recognized the principles enshrined in the Charter in their entirety. If the Japanese leaders are attempting to violate their own Constitution, rewrite international law, and evade historical responsibility, it will naturally give rise to serious concern. 

In response, Lin said that "China agrees with what Foreign Minister Lavrov said."

Lin noted that Japan needs to be reminded that instruments with legal effect under international law, including the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, stipulate Japan's international obligations as a defeated country and serve as cornerstones of the postwar international order. Fulfilling these obligations is the political and legal prerequisite for Japan to be readmitted to the international community.

"Today, however, the Takaichi administration keeps sidestepping the issue of historical crimes with no sign of remorse, and even goes to great lengths to whitewash and glorify them, as part of its scheme to abandon pacifism, break free from the constraints of its Constitution and domestic and international laws, and ratchet up remilitarization," Lin said.

"This is a blatant challenge to the postwar international order and a flagrant provocation to peace and justice. All peace-loving nations need to jointly reject and check Japanese right-wing forces' dangerous pursuit so as to safeguard the outcomes of WWII victory and the postwar international order and ensure that the tragedies of history will never be repeated," Lin said.

Global Times