Reported The Guardian (Apr. 12, 2005), China's premier Wen Jiabao told Japan on April 12 to face up to its World War II aggression before aspiring to a bigger global role. This is the strongest stand so far against the Japanese bid for a permanent eat on the U.N. Security Council,

Violent anti-Japanese protests erupted in Beijing and two other Chinese cities over the weekend, sparked by Japan's approval of a history textbook that critics say plays down Japanese military abuses such as the forced wartime prostitution of thousands of Asian women.

Reported in The Washington Post (Philip P. Pan, Apr. 13, 2005)., Chinese Premier said April 12 that Japan would not be ready for a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council until it admits its history of aggression in World War II and earns the trust of the people of Asia. Wen's remarks, made during an official visit to India and reported by news agencies there, followed a weekend of anti-Japanese demonstrations in Beijing and other Chinese cities and represent the Chinese government's strongest statement yet in opposition to Japan's bid for a Security Council seat. In New Delhi, Wen told reporters that the demonstrations should prompt "deep and profound reflections" in Japan. "The core issue in China-Japan relations is that Japan needs to face up to history squarely," he said.

"Only a country that respects history, takes responsibility for history and wins over the trust of peoples in Asia and the world at large can take greater responsibilities in the international community," Wen told reporters in New Delhi.