South Korea and China won't tolerate any attempts to deny history, Beijing's top envoy to Seoul said Wednesday, in a thinly veiled swipe at Japan.

   "The people of our two countries will never allow any act that denies and distorts, even beautifies, the history of aggression," Amb. Qiu Guohong said during the opening ceremony of a photo exhibition marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.

   Although he did not mention Japan by name, his remarks were an apparent criticism of the neighboring nation whose right-wing conservative government has often angered Beijing and Seoul through attempts to whitewash its wartime atrocities.

   Japan colonized the Korean Peninsula from 1910-45 and ruled parts of China in the early 20th century.

   "Both China and South Korea deeply experienced the pain of aggression and national ruin and paid a large price and made large sacrifices for our countries' independence and liberation," Qiu

said. "So we know very well that history doesn't change over time and that facts don't disappear through denials with clever words."

   The ambassador also reaffirmed Beijing's deep appreciation for President Park Geun-hye's attendance at last month's military parade in Beijing that marked the anniversary.

   U.S. President Barack Obama and other Western leaders boycotted the event in apparent protest of Beijing's growing military assertiveness in the region.

   "There is no doubt that her visit to China has great significance for bilateral ties and regional and global peace, stability and development," Qiu said.

   The exhibition at the Chinese cultural center showcases 197 photographs depicting scenes from China's participation in the war.

   It will run through next Wednesday. (Yonhap)