标签： Asia

The Guangdong Provincial Archives has unveiled a compelling exhibition featuring irrefutable evidence of Japanese war crimes committed during World War II, drawing from historical materials preserved by Japanese sources themselves. The Saturday event served both as a donation ceremony and historical exposition, highlighting aggressive acts perpetrated by Japanese militarism against China.

Local residents contributed significantly to the archival collection by donating materials documenting invasive crimes committed by Japanese forces in South China. These newly acquired holdings include previously unseen evidence that directly challenges persistent denials by Japanese right-wing factions regarding wartime atrocities.

According to the Archives’ official statement, contemporary Japanese authorities have engaged in provocative actions that interfere with China’s internal affairs while simultaneously undermining the post-WWII international order. These developments have generated widespread condemnation among Chinese citizens and peace advocates worldwide.

Among the most significant donations were materials provided by researcher Sha Dongxun from the Guangdong Academy of Social Sciences. These included original Japanese manuscript testimony from Unit 8604 veteran Inoue Mutsuo, recorded in July 1995, which details germ warfare atrocities committed by Japanese forces. Additionally, the collection features printed testimony from veteran Maruyama Shigeru who publicly exposed biological warfare crimes in 1993.

The Archives emphasized that these materials represent self-incriminating evidence from perpetrators who could no longer bear the weight of their conscience in their later years. The exhibition also showcases original photographs captured by military photographers serving in Japan’s 21st Army that invaded South China, alongside Japanese publications and invasion photo albums published by contemporary news media.

These Japanese-language historical materials provide incontrovertible proof of Japan’s invasive history and hold immense historical value for understanding the full scope of wartime atrocities committed during the occupation period.

In a significant escalation of Middle Eastern tensions, the United States and Israel conducted coordinated military strikes against multiple targets in Iran on Saturday. The attacks, targeting sites in Tehran and several other cities including Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah, mark a dangerous new phase in regional instability.

According to US security officials, the joint operation represents a dramatic intensification of military engagement with Iran. Israeli Defense officials confirmed their forces struck multiple locations within the Iranian capital, where explosions were reported throughout the morning. Iranian officials disclosed to Reuters that several government ministries in southern Tehran were among the targets hit.

This offensive follows President Donald Trump’s previous military action against Iran in June 2025, when US forces joined Israel in a 12-day conflict that culminated in bombing three Iranian nuclear facilities. While Trump previously characterized those strikes as ‘limited and decisive,’ targeting Tehran directly establishes conditions for potentially extended US military involvement in the region.

The administration had been preparing for this escalation since January, deploying additional warplanes, air defense systems, and an aircraft carrier to the Middle East. In an interview with Axios, Trump notably referenced dispatching ‘a big armada next to Iran. Bigger than Venezuela’ – drawing parallels to his military campaign against the Latin American nation earlier in the month.

Despite the military action, Trump has maintained diplomatic channels with Tehran, leaving the path to negotiations open. The administration had considered military action against Iran for nearly a month, initially citing the government’s brutal crackdown on demonstrators that resulted in thousands of casualties. After initially encouraging protestors to ‘take over’ state institutions, Trump later claimed the ‘killing has stopped.’

Regional experts caution that this latest attack could provoke severe retaliation from Iran. Unlike previous responses – such as the June attack on al-Udeid air base in Qatar, which was conducted with advance warning and limited damage – current circumstances might compel Iran to respond more aggressively. With Tehran already confronting massive domestic protests, US military action could be perceived as an existential threat, potentially triggering attacks on US bases across the region or attempts to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for 20% of global oil shipments.

The operation follows a pattern similar to Trump’s approach toward Venezuela, where escalating tensions ultimately resulted in the abduction and detention of President Nicolas Maduro. Regional powers including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman had lobbied against military action, while several Gulf states explicitly refused to allow US use of their territory or airspace for attacks on Iran.

In a significant escalation of Middle Eastern tensions, Israeli forces executed coordinated military strikes against multiple targets in Tehran on Saturday. The operation, confirmed by US security officials to be a joint initiative with Washington, represents a dramatic turning point in regional geopolitics.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz publicly acknowledged the offensive, characterizing it as a ‘preventive strike’ against Iranian assets. Concurrently, air raid sirens activated across Israel, with military authorities issuing urgent directives for civilians to seek immediate shelter in protected spaces. The nation transitioned to ‘Essential Activity’ status, suspending educational institutions, public gatherings, and non-critical commercial operations.

Reuters agency reported that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei relocated to a secured facility during the assault. Eyewitnesses described substantial explosions throughout Tehran’s metropolitan area, with visible smoke plumes rising from impact sites.

US President Donald Trump concurrently advocated for regime transformation in Iran, declaring that ‘Iranian people’s freedom is at hand today.’ He extended offers of immunity to members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, military, and police forces conditional on their disarmament.

Israeli media outlet Channel 13, citing confidential security sources, revealed the operation underwent months of strategic preparation. The timing appears particularly significant given recent diplomatic engagements – an Iranian informant disclosed to Middle East Eye that negotiations served as camouflage for military planning, evidenced by the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier’s positioning near Haifa preceding the attacks.

This development follows Israeli Minister Yoav Gallant’s Friday declaration that ‘the coming weeks will shape the coming decades in the Middle East,’ suggesting advanced awareness of impending military actions. The Omani foreign minister had simultaneously claimed breakthrough diplomatic achievements, which now appear overshadowed by armed conflict.

The Israeli Defense Ministry confirmed the execution of a preemptive military strike against Iranian targets early Saturday, characterizing the operation as a necessary defensive measure to neutralize imminent threats to national security.

In an official statement released following the operation, Israeli authorities justified their actions as a calculated response to credible intelligence indicating preparations for missile attacks against Israeli territory. The precise locations and specific nature of the targets struck within Iran remain undisclosed for operational security reasons.

Concurrently with the offensive maneuver, Israel’s civil defense network activated emergency sirens nationwide, alerting citizens to prepare for potential retaliatory missile strikes from Iran. The dual development of offensive action and defensive preparedness underscores the heightened state of military tension between the two Middle Eastern powers.

The escalation occurs against a complex geopolitical backdrop where regional tensions have been steadily intensifying. This military action represents a significant development in the long-standing adversarial relationship between Israel and Iran, which has historically involved proxy conflicts but now appears to be entering a more direct phase of confrontation.

International observers and diplomatic channels are closely monitoring the situation for potential ripple effects across the region, particularly regarding how Iran’s leadership might respond to what Israel describes as a preemptive defensive action. The operation marks one of the most direct military engagements between the two nations in recent years.

China has witnessed a remarkable surge in visa-free foreign arrivals, with official statistics revealing a substantial 49.5% year-on-year increase for 2025. According to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Saturday, February 28, 2026, the country welcomed 30.08 million international visitors under its visa exemption policies last year.

The dramatic growth in inbound tourism follows China’s strategic expansion of its visa-waiver programs, which now include numerous European and Asian countries. This policy shift represents a significant reversal from the strict border controls maintained during the pandemic years, signaling China’s renewed commitment to global connectivity and international exchange.

Tourism analysts attribute the impressive numbers to multiple factors, including streamlined entry procedures, enhanced promotional efforts showcasing China’s cultural heritage and modern attractions, and improved tourism infrastructure across major cities and historical sites. The hospitality sector has reported corresponding increases in hotel occupancy rates and tourism-related spending, providing a substantial boost to local economies.

This opening initiative aligns with China’s broader economic strategy to stimulate domestic consumption through international tourism while fostering people-to-people diplomacy. The successful implementation of these policies demonstrates China’s evolving approach to global engagement and its recognition of tourism’s role in economic development and cross-cultural understanding.