A book, the result of three years' labor of 40 scholars and publishers from China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK), formally admits that Japanese invading troops in 1937 "cruelly massacred" people in Nanjing.

The Chinese edition of "The Contemporary and Modern History of Three East Asian Countries" was formally released Thursday (June 9th).

Bu Ping, deputy director of the Institute of Modern History under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and the Chinese participant in the project, said there was differences on historical issues among participating scholars of different countries.

"However, we had no difference over the key issue of invasion and the perspective of history as well."

"Many people are concerned about how the book depicts Nanjing Massacre and other major issues. In fact, we don't have any difference over the massacre issue, and we all agree that Japanese invaders conducted a 'cruel massacre' in Nanjing. "

It is the number of deaths that differ drastically from report to report. The book gives two numbers: 340,000 and 200,000, from the Nanjing trial and the Tokyo trial.

"The perspective of history is the most important," Bu said. "The history textbooks compiled by Japan's right-wing groups have seven, eight or even ten errors as pointed out by the media, because their perspective of history is wrong. They obscure Japan's militarism, justify and glorify Japan's militarist past and beautify its invasions," Bu said.

"To iron the difference over historical issues among different countries, efforts must be made to promote idea exchange and mutual understanding based on the precondition that view points over historical facts are properly exchanged."

He Bingmeng, deputy general secretary of the CASS, said the history book compiled by "scholars with a sense of justice" has strengthened the intercourse among the three countries and will play an important role in shaping the common perspective of history in these countries.

It is also a trial of great significance in curbing the sharp contrast between Japan and the neighboring countries over the comprehension of historical issues.

He said the book, primarily targeted at young readers, summarizes the contemporary and modern historical process of the three countries and the fact that Japan invaded China and ROK by using easy and simple language.

"Scholars of three countries have finally reached consensus on the basic issues of principle through comparing notes and with the attitude of seeking common points while reserving difference. This is marvelous."

"This indicates that we are capable of reaching consensus on historical issues if we are determined to shoulder responsibility for the people in respective countries and seek common aspiration of promoting future peace and development in East Asia," He said.

Masahi Umeda, a representative of Kohbunken Co., publisher of the Japanese edition, said some Japanese thought it would never be possible for historians of the three countries to reach a consensus about historical facts and the interpretations of them.

"We have proved that it is possible," Umeda said. "Many Japanese readers have written to me after reading the book, saying that we have published a very good book and a long-waited one."

Umeda said although the first print run stood at 20,000 copies, which was remarkable for social science books, they have decided to publish second and third editions in addition to another 15,000copies as supplement to the first edition.

Yoon Hwy-Tak, professor of Chinese history at South Korea's East Asian University and a participant in the project, said that the book is well received in ROK and the first print run of 20,000copies were all sold out.

"Japan has to reflect on its war-time behavior and apologize to the victims first. It has to compensate for the damage," Yoon said.

The Institute of Modern History under the CASS and the Social Sciences Academic Press (SSAP), another CASS subsidiary, were responsible for the compilation and publishing of the Chinese version.

According to Bu's estimate, the total run of the Chinese edition is expected to reach 100,000 to 200,000 copies.

Editor: Wing