Your leader of August 15th and a related essay ("Xi's history lessons" and "The unquiet past") distorted history, downplayed war crimes committed by Japanese militarism and dismissed China's sacrifice, contribution and unyielding struggle for regional and world peace. The articles failed to show due respect for history or meet the journalistic norms of impartiality, objectivity and integrity expected of a serious media organisation.

The Communist Party of China (CPC) played the central role in the war of resistance against Japanese aggression. The united front formed at the initiative of the CPC was instrumental in bringing about co-operation between the Kuomintang, the ruling party at the time, and the CPC. As a result, the Chinese people united in a common fight for national survival and won a great victory over Japan. By doing so, the Chinese people made an indelible historic contribution to the victory of the international community over fascism.

The Chinese people sustained 35m casualties in the war. Hardly any family in China has not experienced separation between beloved ones or witnessed brutal killing by Japanese forces. As the Chinese people view it, the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo honours the souls of bloodstained war criminals. To glorify the shrine is to preach evil. A prerequisite for Japan to improve relations with China and other Asian neighbours is that it face history directly and squarely. In China, people remember history not to prolong hatred but to call for vigilance against the attempts of the Japanese right-wing forces to deny, distort or even glorify the past of aggression.

The most valuable lesson China learned from the war of resistance is the paramount importance for all nations to follow the path of peaceful development. China is committed to this path. China will make unremitting efforts to improve China-Japan relations, to safeguard regional peace and stability and to contribute to a harmonious world of common prosperity.

The purpose of China's grand commemorative events to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory against Japanese aggression and world fascism is to look at history as a guide for the future. Holding a military parade at such a commemorative event is common practice around the world and not, as you allege, a show of military muscle in Beijing to upset Asian neighbours.

As a media organisation, The Economist has a responsibility to help its readers have a correct understanding of the past, rather than portraying it in black and white.

ZHANG YANGWU
Spokesman of the Chinese embassy
London