BEIJING, Sept. 3 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday urged the Japanese government to admit and reflect on its history of militarist aggression, as China marked the 69th anniversary of victory in Anti-Japanese War.

Addressing a symposium held for the occasion, Xi said the war launched by Japanese militarists in modern times brought calamity to the people of China and other Asian countries. The facts cannot be denied.

China will never allow any denial and distortion of this history of aggression or any return to militarism, he said.

Japan must show a sense of responsibility for history, the region's people and the future to maintain Sino-Japanese friendship as well as the stability and development of Asia, according to Xi.

He urged Japan to take a prudent attitude and appropriately deal with historical issues, learn lessons and stick to the road of peaceful development.