China on Thursday urged Japan to face up to the concerns of the international community, earnestly fulfill its nuclear non-proliferation obligations under international law, truly repent for its historical crimes, learn the lesson of history, and step back from the wrong path.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks in response to a question on the 81st anniversary of the US atomic bombing of Hiroshima and recent developments related to Japan's military and nuclear policy.

Lin said the devastation and tragedies brought by nuclear weapons should never repeat themselves. At the same time, he stressed that the particular context of the nuclear explosions should all the more be remembered and the lessons of Japanese militarism's aggression and expansion must forever serve as an alarm.

He noted that right-wing forces in Japan have long been distorting historical facts, politically exploiting the nation's identity as a nuclear bombing victim for sympathy, and deliberately downplaying Japan's invasion that killed and wounded tens of millions of people in neighboring countries in an attempt to escape accountability for the war.

Lin said that, more ironically, the Japanese authorities have been beefing up military buildup, seeking enhanced nuclear protection from the United States, and attempting to break free from the Three Non-Nuclear Principles. He added that a senior official at the Prime Minister's Office had even clamored for Japan's independent nuclear armament, without even hiding the ambition for remilitarization.

"This is a provocation to all peace-loving people in the world and reveals their contempt for historical justice," Lin said.

Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the start of the Tokyo Trials, Lin said the jury of history is still out and demands reverence from Japan. He urged Japan to face up to the concerns of the international community, earnestly fulfill its nuclear non-proliferation obligations under international law, and not once again stand before the court of history.

Responding to another question on Japan's military buildup on its Pacific islands, including the deployment of an anti-ship missile battery on Minamitorishima, Lin said the move is yet further proof of Japan accelerating remilitarization.

He said Japan committed untold crimes and inflicted profound suffering on its Asian neighbors and the world through its aggression and expansion during World War II. Today, not only has Japan refused to repent, it is even retracing those erroneous steps and concocting false narratives about threats from neighboring countries to cover up its attempt at military buildup.

"Facts prove that Japan's remilitarization already poses a real threat to regional peace and stability, and the international community must stay on high alert," Lin said.

He urged Japan to stop spreading disinformation and carrying out smear campaigns, truly repent for its historical crimes, learn the lesson of history and step back from the wrong path.