Chinese officials warned that Japan may be fueling tensions on the East China Sea, by its latest moves to rewrite history, particularly the issue about "comfort women." 

The warning was in response to a report released by a panel of Japanese experts, saying that Japan had worked in close cooperation with South Korea in crafting the wording of statement in 1993. In that statement, Yohei Kono, Japan's then-chief cabinet secretary, officially apologized for Japan's wartime atrocity of forcing women into sex slavery. 

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The panel report, perceived to have been prepared by Japanese government-appointed experts, indicated there was political bargaining or concession in the "close cooperation" that occurred between Japan and South Korea prior to the publication of the 1993 statement.

Seoul reacted strongly to the report, saying the South Korean government is frustrated by the "mixed signals" from the administration of Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe. Seoul also indicated that Japan may have purposely organized the investigation to cast doubts on the sincerity of the Sono statement. 

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said the panel report "further exposes its [Japan's] true intentions of refusing to face up to history." Hua called on Japan to "take a responsible attitude to honor its commitment to the international community such as the Kono Statement, and make tangible moves to properly handle relevant historical left-over issues including the comfort women." 

Meanwhile, Sun Jianguo, deputy chief of staff of the People's Liberation Army indicated that the world should be wary of Abe's posture in discussions about areas of conflict, including the East China Sea, in the face of Japan's perceived effort to alter history. 

"The right-wing Japanese leader has not shown the slightest remorse about his country's past atrocities," Sun said in a speech at the third World Peace Forum on Sunday. "He is even investigating and questioning the Kono statement, whose contents are beyond doubt and confirmed true."

The Chinese official also called on the international community to remain alert against the plan of Japan's right-wing forces to challenge post-war order. 

Sun's statements come in the wake of warnings by policy insiders that the security atmosphere in East Asia may be deteriorating, because of Japan's attempt to change the status quo, and possibly revive militarism. 

TagsComfort Women, Sun Jianguo, Yohei Kono