BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- There were strong public outrage among civil groups and people from various sectors when the Japanese government obstructed the plan of erecting "comfort women" statues in relevant countries, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks at a daily press briefing when answering a relevant question.

Guo said that some forces in Japan have long been trying to deny or even erase the history of aggression, downplay the issue of "comfort women," deprive the victims of their rights to seek truth and obtain compensation, and even rub salt into the wounds of these victims.

China urges the ruling authorities of Japan to face up to its history of aggression, sincerely recognize and apologize for its wartime crimes, stop covering up the truth and suppressing the voice of justice, and cease the countercurrent and reckless act of "remilitarization," Guo added.