China: Japan must abide by WWII treaties

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga, says Japan does not accept the recent statement by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang that Japan must return territories stolen during World War Two.

Li Keqiang made the remarks during his visit to Potsdam in Germany last week. Following the reaction, Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, has now denounced Japan's "lack of respect" for wartime history.

Wang Yi says Japan agreed to the Potsdam Proclamation when it surrendered unconditionally in 1945, after World War Two. The Potsdam Proclamation states that Japan must observe terms set in the Cairo Declaration. This states that all territories taken by Japan from China, including parts of Northeastern China, Taiwan, and other islands, shall be restored to China.

When diplomatic ties were restored between China and Japan, the two countries signed a joint statement agreeing to abide by the Potsdam Proclamation. Wang Yi says these are historical facts that cannot be denied.