Hey amigos 🌟, this week a heated debate took shape in New York! On Wednesday, Jan. 21, during the first intergovernmental meeting on UN Security Council reform at the 80th UN General Assembly session, Sun Lei, charge d'affaires of the Chinese mainland's Permanent Mission to the UN, dropped a bold statement: Japan is 'fundamentally unqualified' to vie for a permanent UNSC seat 🌐.
Sun Lei argued that a permanent member must uphold the postwar international order and earn global trust—something he says Japan hasn't done. He pointed to:
- Unresolved militarist legacy: Even after the Tokyo Trials 80 years ago, Japan hasn't fully reckoned with its wartime past 📜.
- Right-wing revisionism: Denial of historical crimes like the Nanjing Massacre and forced 'comfort women' recruitment.
- Yasukuni Shrine visits: Several leaders paying homage to Class-A war criminals, signaling a revival of militarism ⚔.
- Policy shifts: Talks to revise security white papers, tweak the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, and pro-nuclear statements by top officials.
- Aggressive Taiwan stance and threats: Recent comments by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on the Taiwan question and hints at using force against the Chinese mainland.
According to Sun, these moves threaten regional and global peace instead of building the credibility needed for a UNSC seat. He stressed that a country must show genuine remorse for historical crimes, respect basic norms of international relations, and uphold the outcomes of World War II to be considered.
On the flip side, the Chinese mainland reaffirmed its willingness to team up with peace-loving countries to defend the UN Security Council's authority and maintain world stability ✌️.
What do you think? Can Japan change the global narrative and prove it's ready for a UNSC role? Let us know! 👇
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
