"We believe that only countries that correctly face their history and dare shoulder their responsibility should play a bigger role on the international scene," foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said.

"(Only that kind country) can win the trust and support of its neighbors and the international community," he told a regular briefing.

Qin was responding to a question about whether China would discuss Japan's ambitions for a permanent Security Council seat with Annan, who will begin a three-day visit to China on Sunday.

China is unenthusiastic on the issue of permanent Japanese membership, citing what it sees as Japan's reluctance to admit to its history of aggression in China and elsewhere in Asia in the first half of the 20th century.

Japan's candidacy for a permanent seat at the Security Council was one of the key factors triggering massive anti-Japanese demonstrations in big Chinese cities in spring.

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