China collects more evidence on Japanese aggression

A staff member shows donated documents at the Overseas Chinese History Museum in Beijing, capital of China, 4 July 2015. Some 1,000 historical documents on Japanese aggression have been donated to the museum after China said it welcomed such evidence - (Xinhua/Li He)

Beijing (Xinhua): Some 1,000 historical documents on Japanese aggression have been donated to a Beijing museum after China said it welcomed such evidence.

These documents, which were donated to the Overseas Chinese History Museum by Taiwan artists Hsu Po Yih and mainland entrepreneur Li Zhe, included books, newspapers and bonds related to major wars launched by Japan. They also include scripts documenting Japan’s recruitment in Taiwan and the military currencies issued by Japan.

The documents “demonstrate the atrocities of Japan during their occupation of Taiwan and invasion of China” in the 1930s and 1940s, Qiao Wei, spokesperson for the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, which manages the museum, said Saturday at a donation ceremony.

Most of the documents were written in Japanese or compiled by Japanese, which further strengthens the testimony, said Qiao.

“Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent envoys several times to buy my documents,” Hsu was quoted as saying by the Beijing News.

“They promised me money, but I refused. Later they wanted these document for exhibitions in Japan, perhaps this was an attempt to steal the documents,” Hsu said.

The documents will be on public display from 7 July, the day in 1937 that marked Japan’s full-scale invasion in China. This year marks the 70 anniversary of the victory of World War II.

The federation and other patriotic organizations last year made a call for documentary evidence and sponsored exhibitions on war crimes in the Asia-Pacific region.

China will hold a military parade in Beijing to mark the anniversary on 3 September.