The Japanese invasion of China and the Nanjing Massacre are historical facts that can not be denied, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang on Tuesday.

"There is a mass of ironclad evidence for the Nanjing Massacre, and the international community has reached a final conclusion on it long ago," said Qin.

He was responding to a journalist's question on whether the Nanjing Massacre would be discussed at the first joint China-Japan study of history which opened here Tuesday.

Qin did not confirm whether Chinese and Japanese experts would discuss the Nanjing Massacre issue.

Chinese President Hu Jintao and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed in October to begin the history research of the two countries by the end of the year, and the two foreign ministers agreed to release the results by the end of 2008.

Qin said he hoped the experts could conduct the study on the basis of principles of the three political documents signed between China and Japan and face history "correctly."

"We hope the study of 2,000 years of history between China and Japan as well as modern and post-World War II history will enhance the objective understanding of historical facts," said Qin.

"Positive momentum has been seen in the improvement and development of China-Japan relations, and we consider the joint study a correct decision as it will help both sides properly handle matters through dialogue and exchanges, and create the foundation for the future of bilateral relations," said Qin.

Source: Xinhua