Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Beijing, December 14 (Xinhua) — China's release of evidence received from Russia related to Japan's infamous "Unit 731" is not just a practice of information exchange, but a powerful act of solidarity between the two countries in the fight to preserve historical memory, which has significant implications for the present and future. Russian experts stated this in a written interview with Xinhua.
On Saturday, the 12th National Remembrance Day for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre, the Central Archives of China released a package of declassified archives provided by the Russian side, covering the period from May 11, 1939 to December 25, 1950, containing trial transcripts of Unit 731 members, investigation reports into the unit's crimes, and internal official correspondence of the Soviet Union's authorities.
"This event, timed to coincide with a memorable date, is profoundly significant for the joint defense of historical truth and the fight against the growing trend of historical nihilism," said Artem Semenov, advisor to the Governor of the Moscow Region and member of the Rossotrudnichestvo Public Council.
He noted that Unit 731, infamous for its inhumane human experiments, is one of the darkest symbols of Japanese militarism. These crimes remained in the shadows for a long time, and attempts to cover them up or distort them, unfortunately, continue.
According to the Central Archives of China, archival materials provided by Russia reveal for the first time the Soviet Union's investigative process during the preliminary stages of the 1949 Khabarovsk Trials, which identified more than 200 people linked to Unit 731 crimes and ultimately selected 12 war criminals for public trials.
Those brought to trial fully confessed to their crimes related to violations of international conventions and the preparation and conduct of bacteriological warfare.
"Russian archives containing evidence of Unit 731's activities represent a valuable source of information. Their publication will supplement and confirm existing data, making the picture of the Japanese militarists' crimes even more complete and indisputable. This will deal a serious blow to any attempts to deny or downplay the scale of these atrocities," said A. Semenov.
According to Marina Dmitrieva, Deputy Director for Science and Innovation at the Far Eastern Federal University's Institute of Oriental Studies, the publication of the archives draws the world's attention to the scale and brutality of Unit 731's crimes.
"The documents serve as a reminder of the importance of the principles enshrined in the Charters of the Nuremberg and Tokyo Tribunals and serve as a warning about the consequences of violating humanity, which is crucial for maintaining the modern international legal order," she said. "Their publication is a practical step toward protecting the post-war world order based on the UN Charter and historical justice."
Experts believe that China and Russia's collaboration in publishing these archives demonstrates that countries that have experienced the horrors of war are willing to join forces to protect the truth and prevent a recurrence of tragedies. This will allow for a broader public understanding of these tragic pages of history, a reminder of the suffering of the victims, and the need to learn from the past.
"China and Russia, as the main victorious countries in World War II and permanent members of the UN Security Council, bear a special responsibility for preserving the historical memory and protecting the results of that war. Their joint actions in this direction have profound symbolic and practical significance," A. Semenov emphasized.
"Chinese-Russian cooperation in this area serves as an example of how countries can and should work together to combat the falsification of history, using diplomatic, academic, and public channels. This strengthens strategic mutual trust and the moral authority of both countries," stated M. Dmitrieva.
"In 2026-2027, Russia and China will hold cross-years of education. This is an excellent opportunity for universities to contribute to the preservation of history. Conferences, roundtables, and exhibitions of historical documents dedicated to shared history will help preserve memory among the youth of both countries," the expert concluded.
During World War II, the Japanese invaders established a network of biological and chemical weapons in many Asian countries, and the base of Unit 731, a secret unit of the Japanese army engaged in the research and development of biological and chemical weapons, was established in Harbin (Heilongjiang Province, Northeast China) and served as the main center of militaristic Japan for conducting bacteriological warfare and human experiments.
At least 3,000 people from China, the USSR, and other countries and regions became victims of bacteriological experiments on humans conducted by Unit 731. -0-
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.