The Japanese government's obstruction of plans to erect "comfort women" statues in various countries has sparked strong public outrage among civic groups and people from various sectors, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Photo: Chinese foreign ministry

Spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks at a daily press briefing in response to a related question.

Guo noted that some forces in Japan have long been trying to deny or even erase the country's history of aggression, downplay the "comfort women" issue and deprive the victims of their right to seek justice and obtain compensation.

China urges the ruling authorities of Japan to face up to the country's history of aggression, faithfully admit their guilt and apologize for its wartime crimes, stop covering up the truth and suppressing the voices of justice, and cease the countercurrent and reckless act of "remilitarization," Guo said.

"All victimized countries should uphold a correct perspective on World War II history, safeguard historical truth, prevent the repeat of such tragedies, and jointly preserve the hard-won peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific," Guo added.