BEIJING, July 8 (Xinhua) -- China on Tuesday urged Japan to face up to history and mend the strained bilateral ties with practical measures.

"Again, Japan's ruling officials have failed to face up to its history of aggression," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a daily press briefing on Tuesday.

Hong's comments came after Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, the top government spokesman, said the Chinese commemorations on Monday did "nothing to contribute to peace and cooperation in the region".

China held a grand gathering on Monday to commemorate the 77th anniversary of the start of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

The Japanese aggression brought hideous disasters to the Chinese people, Hong said. "The Chinese commemorations were held to keep in mind the history, commemorate the martyrs, cherish peace, signal a warning of future and safeguard the world peace."

"To mend its relations with its neighbors, Japan should face up to and reflect on its history of aggression and make a clear distinction with militarism," Hong said.

Hong said Japanese officials have little understanding of the significance of facing up to history, and urged them to listen to the calls of the international community.

Regarding a question on Japanese leaders' willingness to meet with Chinese leaders, Hong said the current obstacles in bilateral relations were created by Japan.

"China's position to mend bilateral ties is very clear. We expect Japan to take substantive measures to remove obstacles," Hong said.

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