Madam president,

The Chinese delegation appreciates the Special Rapporteur's concern about the serious crime of systemic and widespread rape. The Special Rapporteur mentioned in her report that during World War II the Japanese troops conducted mass rape in Nanjing, China and forcibly recruited "comfort women" in many countries. These are irrefutable historical facts that cannot be denied. However, to this day, many in Japan are trying to deny the horrified crimes committed by the Japanese militarist aggressors, including Nanjing Massacre and forced recruitment of "comfort women", in an attempt to deny and even beautify the history of aggression. This is a serious violation of human rights of the people in victimized countries and will surely be condemned by justice and conscience.

We urge Japan to honestly face up to and reflect on its history of aggression, stop denying and beautifying that part of history, observe its international human rights obligations, and handle the "comfort women" issue left over from history in an honest and responsible manner.

Thank you, Madam President.