Beijing, September 29 (Daily Kiran) : China has firmly responded to Japan’s recent statements regarding the United Nations Charter during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. The Chinese government emphasized that the ‘Enemy State Clause’ remains significant and should not be removed or amended.
During a debate on September 22, Japan declared itself a “peaceful nation” committed to a “purely defensive policy” and called for the elimination of the clause. In response, China’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Sun Lei, expressed strong opposition to Japan’s position.
Sun highlighted that Japan joined the UN under the condition of acknowledging its militaristic past and adhering to all stipulations of the UN Charter. The post-war ideal of Japan as a “peaceful nation” was founded on deep reflection about its history and a complete renunciation of militarism. However, over 80 years later, the current government under Sanae Takaichi is accused of avoiding discussions on Japan’s historical crimes, attempting to obscure and glorify its past actions.
Moreover, Japan has been criticized for fabricating threats from neighboring countries to justify its ongoing military expansion and modernization efforts. Recent actions by Japan suggest that its rearmament poses a genuine threat to regional and global peace and stability.
Sun reiterated that maintaining the post-World War II international order and safeguarding regional peace is a shared responsibility of the international community. He underscored that the ‘Enemy State Clause’ serves as a crucial institutional mechanism aimed at preventing fascism and militarism from becoming threats to international peace and security once again. This clause provides a vital guarantee for the post-war international order and retains its practical significance today.
Tensions surrounding this issue reflect broader concerns about military expansion and historical accountability in the region.
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