China has called the forced recruitment of comfort women by the Japanese military during the Second World War 'an atrocious crime against humanity'. The remarks come after the Japanese government criticized the unveiling of a statue commemorating the struggles of comfort women in Shanghai.

"The prerequisite to embracing the future is facing up to our past. The forced recruitment of comfort women was an atrocious crime against humanity, committed by the Japanese military during the Second World War. The forced recruitment of comfort women victimised Asian countries, including China, and inflicted both physical and psychological trauma on the victims and their families. History will not be altered with the passing of time and deliberate denial will not make facts disappear. We strongly urge the Japanese side, to accept a responsible attitude toward history, human conscience, and human rights -- to reflect and face the grave crimes committed by the Japanese military during the war of aggression -- and to take concrete action to win the trust of its Asian neighbours and the international community," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said.