HK NGOs denounce Japan's whitewashing of history

A number of Hong Kong non-governmental organizations started Tuesday a signature campaign against Japan's bid for a seat on the UN Security Council and its distortion of history in new textbooks.

The Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong (DAB) also held signature activities at Causeway Bay Monday afternoon, which attracted a large number of Hong Kong residents.

Meanwhile, several social groups organized demonstrations at Japan's Consulate General in Hong Kong, denouncing Japan's wrong attitude toward its history of aggression.

Three organizations from the educational circle made a four-point declaration on Monday, which said history will not be written off just because of Japan's unilateral denial. It also denounced Japan's ignorance of its war-time atrocities and demanded Japan authorities seriously review its war crimes in order to avoid restoration of militarism. Another two educational groups wrote letters to all schools in Hong Kong, calling on teachers and students to hold protests against Japan's claim to Diaoyu Islands, its introduction of revised history textbooks as well as its attempt to gain a seat on the UN Security Council.