By Zhong Sheng, People’s Daily

On April 21, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, in her capacity as prime minister, presented a ritual offering known as a masakaki to the Yasukuni Shrine, a site that enshrines Class-A war criminals from World War II and carries a notorious legacy. 

In this year marking the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the Tokyo trials, such an act, taken in defiance of global opinion, constitutes a deliberate affront to human conscience, a blatant profanation of historical justice, and an arrogant provocation against the outcomes of victory in World War II. 

The forces that stand for justice worldwide should remain highly vigilant against such regressive moves and make clear-eyed judgments about Japan’s strategic trajectory.

The Yasukuni Shrine has never been a purely religious site; it is a symbol of Japan’s militarist past and, in fact, a shrine for war criminals. Among the 14 Class-A war criminals enshrined there are figures such as Hideki Tojo, No.1 war criminal and warmonger; Kenji Doihara, major culprit of aggression against China; Iwane Matsui, top perpetrator of the Nanjing Massacre; Osami Nagano, order-giver of the Pearl Harbor attack; and Kuniaki Koiso, mass murderer on the Korean Peninsula. They are all major war criminals responsible for atrocities against the people in Asia and the rest of the world. 

The Tokyo trials have long passed a just ruling on Japan’s war of aggression and militarist atrocities, branding these war criminals forever infamous in history. No matter how elaborate her excuses are, Takaichi’s reverence for these historical culprits cannot cover up her ulterior motives and harmful implications: denying the validity of the Tokyo trials, whitewashing Japan’s aggressive history, and defending war criminals.

This latest offering once again exposes the deeply flawed and dangerous right-wing historical outlook held by certain Japanese politicians. For years, visits to the Yasukuni Shrine have served as a symbolic act for right-wing forces seeking to revive militarism. As early as 2007, Takaichi visited the shrine as a cabinet member, and since 2014 she has paid homage more than 10 times, revealing the depth of her fixation. 

At its core, such worship amounts to tacit endorsement of the so-called “Yasukuni view of history” promoted by the shrine’s core facility, the Yushukan Museum. This narrative distorts facts to obscure the history of aggression, attributes the outbreak of war to alleged “provocations” or “pressure” from the United States, the United Kingdom, and even China, and portrays Japan’s wars of aggression as efforts to “liberate Asia” and build a “Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere,” glorifying military exploits and the so-called “Bushido spirit.”

These absurd claims that whitewash militarism stand in stark contradiction to the broad consensus of the international community on historical issues. Recently, an alarming incident occurred in which an active-duty member of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, influenced by extremist ideology, illegally broke into the Chinese embassy in Japan armed with a knife. This exactly underscored the depth and danger of such distorted thinking.

That a sitting Japanese leader would insist on offering tribute at a site that glorifies militarism reflects a broader strategic attempt by Japan’s right-wing forces to further break through the constraints of the post-war international order and domestic legal frameworks. 

For some time, Japan has taken a series of dangerous provocative moves. Takaichi has openly made erroneous remarks concerning Taiwan, blatantly meddling in China’s internal affairs. Japanese Self-Defense Forces warships have sailed across the Taiwan Strait to flaunt military strength and deliberately stir tensions.

Japan has also deployed long-range missiles allegedly capable of enemy base strikes in Kumamoto and Shizuoka prefectures. Meanwhile, the Japanese government has revised its Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology and relevant implementation guidelines, opening the door to overseas exports of lethal weapons.

All these acts are essentially identical to paying homage at the Yasukuni Shrine. They demonstrate that Japanese right-wing forces are abandoning peaceful development and engaging in reckless resurgence of neo-militarism. Driven by such forces, Japan is abandoning its posture as a peaceful country and posing growing threats to regional peace and stability.

A Japan that fails to fully come to terms with its history of aggression cannot establish itself in the international community, no matter how it attempts to disguise itself. A correct understanding and handling of history is the political foundation for Japan’s relations with its neighbors.

The Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed deep disappointment and regret over Takaichi’s offering to Yasukuni Shrine, urging Japan’s leadership to adopt a responsible attitude, face history squarely, and engage in genuine reflection with humility and concrete actions. 

The chorus of criticism from the international community once again demonstrates that justice, light, and progress will ultimately prevail over evil, darkness, and reactionary forces. Any attempt to deny the history of aggression or challenge international justice will inevitably meet with broad opposition.

Japan’s militarist wars of aggression brought catastrophe to the peoples of Asia and inflicted profound suffering on the Japanese people themselves. Today, if right-wing politicians such as Takaichi persist in clinging to erroneous historical views and continue down a path that departs from peace and justice, they will once again face serious scrutiny from the international community and the judgment of history.

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People’s Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.)

By He Yin, People’s Daily

On April 21, 2022, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Security Initiative (GSI), with the aim of addressing the root causes of international conflicts, improving global security governance, and encouraging the international community to work together to bring greater stability and certainty to a turbulent world. 

Today, as the international landscape grows more complex and regional conflicts continue to erupt, the practical significance and contemporary relevance of the GSI have become even more evident.

In recent years, structural and deep-seated challenges in the global security domain have continued to accumulate, leading to heightened tensions worldwide. The recent outbreak of conflict in the Middle East is a stark illustration of these severe security dilemmas. 

According to the Report on the Global Security Situation (2025) recently issued by the China Institute of International Studies, the global peace deficit is widening, accompanied by a marked escalation in international conflicts and regional turmoil.

In a world marked by overlapping crises and uncertainties, the GSI provides clear direction and a cooperative framework for addressing security challenges and safeguarding global stability.

The GSI responds to the pressing need of the international community to maintain peace and prevent conflict. It advocates a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, upholds the principle of indivisible security, and promotes the building of a balanced, effective, and sustainable security architecture. Together, these principles offer conceptual guidance for achieving long-term global peace and stability. 

Recently, Xi put forward a four-point proposal on promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, underscoring China’s consistent commitment to promoting peace, stopping conflict, and resolving differences through dialogue. 

In recent years, China has taken the lead in implementing the GSI and has actively facilitated peace efforts worldwide. In the Middle East, China helped facilitate the historic reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, as well as the signing of the Beijing Declaration by Palestinian factions; it has also issued, together with Pakistan, five proposals on restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East region. 

In response to the Ukraine crisis, China has promoted the establishment of the Group of Friends for Peace to create conditions for a political settlement. China has also worked to support peace efforts between Thailand and Cambodia, and has continued to play a constructive role on issues related to Afghanistan and Myanmar. 

These practical efforts demonstrate that dialogue and negotiation are effective, and indeed the only viable pathways to resolving disputes and maintaining peace.

The GSI aligns with the shared aspiration of countries worldwide to uphold multilateralism and strengthen unity and cooperation. Rooted in true multilateralism, the initiative advocates win-win cooperation in addressing security challenges and provides a clear roadmap for improving global security governance. Its core concepts have been widely recognized by leaders of United Nations agencies and incorporated into documents of relevant multilateral mechanisms. 

From actively participating in UN peacekeeping operations to promoting the establishment of multilateral cooperation frameworks; from advancing synergy between the GSI and cooperation under frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS, to strengthening regional security cooperation with countries along the Mekong, in Central Asia, and in Africa — China has consistently upheld the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, practiced true multilateralism, and helped build broad consensus and strong collective efforts to address the global security deficit.

The GSI also reflects the shared aspiration of people around the world to overcome challenges together and build a better future. It emphasizes the indivisibility of security and development, advocating sustainable development as a pathway to sustainable security. In doing so, it aligns with the prevailing global trend toward peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit, while injecting fresh momentum into efforts to improve livelihoods and promote development. 

China regards development as the master key to solving security issues, actively supports the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and promotes universally beneficial, inclusive economic globalization. Through high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, China has empowered global development and helped other developing countries improve people’s well-being. 

At the same time, China coordinates efforts to safeguard both traditional and non-traditional security. It has advanced international cooperation in areas such as climate change, industrial and supply chains, resource and energy security, and food security, while also launching initiatives such as the Global Initiative on Data Security and the Global AI Governance Initiative to jointly address emerging security challenges.

No matter how the world changes, China will always stand firmly committed to building peace. It will continue to work with the international community to fully and effectively implement the GSI, translate the shared vision of common security into concrete actions, and pursue a new path to security that features dialogue over confrontation, partnership over alliance and win-win over zero-sum. In doing so, China will continue to contribute to peace, stability, and justice in this turbulent world.

By He Yin, People’s Daily

During a recent meeting with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward a four-point proposal on promoting peace and stability in the Middle East. 

He called for adherence to the principle of peaceful coexistence, the principle of national sovereignty, the principle of international rule of law and a coordinated approach to development and security.

This four-point proposal fully reflects China’s consistent position of promoting peace, ending conflict, and resolving differences through dialogue, offering a Chinese approach for the Middle East and the Gulf region to emerge from the shadow of conflict and achieve lasting stability. 

The international community widely believes that the four-point proposal, pragmatic and just, is grounded in the fundamental interests of the people of the region, and will inject positive energy into regional and global peace and stability.

Instability in the Middle East means instability for the world. The region is once again experiencing turbulence, with the spillover effects of conflict becoming increasingly evident. 

Reports from the United Nations and the International Monetary Fund warned that the current conflict could trigger a global economic slowdown, weigh on growth in 2026, result in nearly $200 billion in losses for regional economies, and push more than 32 million people worldwide into poverty. 

Bringing hostilities to an end, consolidating ceasefires, and pursuing political solutions are the most urgent priorities and the shared expectation of the international community.

Adherence to the principle of peaceful coexistence is a fundamental basis for resolving the Middle East security dilemma and achieving long-term stability. 

Countries in the Middle East and the Gulf region are interdependent and inseparable neighbors. The more tense the situation becomes, the more they must cherish peace. 

From facilitating the historic reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, to supporting dialogue among 14 Palestinian factions and the signing of the Beijing Declaration, to jointly issuing a five-point initiative with Pakistan for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East, China has consistently played a constructive role in promoting dialogue, bridging differences, and building mutual trust. 

China supports efforts by countries in the region to improve relations and advocates building a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security architecture for the Middle East and the Gulf region, as these endeavors will lay a solid foundation for peaceful coexistence among regional countries.

Adherence to the principle of national sovereignty is the core prerequisite for maintaining peace and stability and safeguarding the development rights of countries in the region. 

Sovereignty serves as a foundation for all countries, especially developing countries, and must not be violated. The people in the Middle East are the true master of this region, and regional affairs should be determined by regional countries independently. External forces should not overstep or resort to the use of force, interfere in internal affairs, or trample on the sovereignty of others. 

The sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of countries in the Middle East and the Gulf region should be fully respected, and the safety of personnel, facilities and institutions of all countries should be effectively safeguarded. China supports countries in the region in defending their sovereignty, security, territorial integrity, and national dignity, and in safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests.

Adherence to the principle of international rule of law provides a solid guarantee for curbing the spread of conflict in the Middle East and building a durable peace framework for the region. 

The prolonged escalation of conflicts in the Middle East largely stems from certain countries disregarding international norms. They frequently resort to extreme pressure and unilateral sanctions, place their own interests above shared global interests, and undermine multilateralism and the foundation of international rule of law.

The authority of international rule of law should be upheld, rejecting selective application to prevent the world from falling back into the law of the jungle. It is essential to firmly uphold the international system with the UN at its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms of international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

A coordinated approach to development and security is the long-term path toward peace, stability, and prosperity in the Middle East. 

Security makes development possible, and development helps maintain security. From advancing clean energy cooperation to support green transition, to sharing agricultural technologies that help deserts bear fruit, China has actively shared its development experience with countries in the region. 

Since the outbreak of the war in Iran, China has promptly provided emergency humanitarian assistance to Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq, delivering urgently needed supplies to people affected by the war. 

All parties should work together to create a favorable environment for the development of countries in the Middle East and the Gulf region. China is ready to share with these countries the opportunities brought about by Chinese modernization to strengthen the foundation for regional development and security.

The four-point proposal serves as a guiding light for peace in the Middle East. At present, the region stands at a critical juncture between conflict and peace. At such a moment, all parties must demonstrate the greatest sincerity and work toward a political resolution. 

China will continue to stand on the side of peace and dialogue, on the right side of history, and on the side of human progress. Together with like-minded countries, it will make sustained efforts to promote lasting peace and stability in the Middle East, contributing China’s strength and demonstrating the responsibility of a major country.