China holds Tokyo trials and world peace forum

SHANGHAI - An international forum on Tokyo trials and world peace opened Saturday in Shanghai, attracting 25 famous jurists and historians from countries including China, the United States, Japan, Britain and New Zealand.

The year marked the 70th anniversary of the opening of Tokyo trials.

"Tokyo trials were the kind that defended civilization," said Gao Wenbin, then a translator and secretary to Chinese prosecutors. "I am 95 years old this year, but history should not be forgotten and facts should not be distorted."

"I deeply believe that any schemes that go against historic trend will not succeed and justice will eventually prevail over evil," said Gao.

After WWII, the Allied Forces tried Japanese war criminals at the International Military Tribunal for the Far East in Tokyo. Known as the Tokyo trials, the proceedings played an important part in shaping the postwar Asia-Pacific order.

Zhang Jie, president of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, said Tokyo and Nuremberg trials were the attempts to avoid bitter wars by punishing war criminals.

"In many corners around the world, there are still many regional disputes and tensions and peace is still one that many people seek and aspire for," said Zhang.

The two-day forum, hosted by the Shanghai Jiao Tong University, has six panel discussions.