More than 1,000 people gathered in Beijing Saturday morning to protest Japan's distortion of its wartime past and Tokyo's bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

People, echoing the call from a website, came to the Hailong shopping center in northern Beijing's Haidian district, carrying anti-Japanese banners.

Japan officially approved new textbook on Tuesday which glosses over Japanese wartime atrocities.

The gathering participants called out slogans as "boycott Japanese-made products," "safeguard Diaoyu Islands," and "smash the Japan's daydream of seeking permanent seat on the UN Security Council."

The gathering people are increasing by press time and the police are keeping the order.




 
(Xinhua News Agency April 9, 2005)