Our Privacy Statement & Cookie Policy

By continuing to browse our site you agree to our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. You can change your cookie settings through your browser.

I agree

No innocent snowflake: The unpunished crimes of Unit 731

Huang Jiyuan

03:21

Editor's note: CGTN's First Voice provides instant commentary on breaking stories. The column clarifies emerging issues and better defines the news agenda, offering a Chinese perspective on the latest global events.

"No snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible." But what if these "snowflakes" have blood on their hands — blood from live human experiments? The "technicians" of the Imperial Japanese Army's Unit 731 held titles such as doctor, professor, researcher, and scholar. They were the core of this unit and the masterminds behind the bacterial warfare experiments conducted on Chinese citizens and prisoners from other countries. After Japan's defeat, they traded their "experimental" data for protection from the United States and went on to become university presidents, hospital directors, government health officials, and other prominent figures in society. The avalanche is long over, but these snowflakes have never recognized or admitted to their crimes. When the guilty face no consequences, the impact on future generations is profound: The truth of history becomes buried; when crimes can be traded away, justice becomes an empty promise. Remembering this history is not about perpetuating hatred, but about vigilance — to ensure that such "snowflakes" never again fall upon innocent heads.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com. Follow @thouse_opinions on Twitter to discover the latest commentaries in the CGTN Opinion Section.)

Search Trends