Beijing, Oct 19: Japan has offered China 300 Yen (USD 2.74 million) for harm caused by chemical weapons abandoned by the Japanese army in China, China's Foreign Ministry said today, adding that "no amount of money" could make up for the damage caused. The money was presented as a settlement over the death of one man and injury of dozens of others by weapons dug up in august at a construction site in the northeastern Chinese city of Qiqihar, the official Xinhua news agency reported ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue as saying.
The accident sparked outrage among Chinese, reviving deep anger over Japan's brutal World War II invasion and occupation of much of the country. Beijing has repeatedly demanded a settlement and earlier this month summoned the Japanese Ambassador in Beijing over complaints that Japan wasn't honouring commitments to help the victims.
Zhang didn't say whether China would accept the payment. However, indicating that China considered the matter far from closed, she said Beijing demanded Japan face up to the "serious aftereffects and political consequences" and take action to prevent similar damage.
"This incident seriously harmed the Chinese people's bodily safety and national sentiments and no amount of money can just compensate for it," Zhang was cited as saying by the report.
The amount was far lower than the USD 400 million that Japan was reportedly considering as a fund for victims of Japanese chemical weapons, and it wasn't clear whether Tokyo was considering additional funds.
Bureau Report