A law to protect the reputation and honor of heroes and martyrs took effect on May 1. The new legislation, adopted by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, also bans activities that glorify invasions.

A war of aggression against a country, which enslaves and robs its people, transgresses the basic values of humanity. No one should be allowed to extol invasions.

Regrettably, in recent years there have been acts that seek to praise the Japanese invasion of China in the 1930s and 1940s. For instance, four young Chinese people wearing World War II Japanese military uniforms posed for a photo in Shanghai last August, at a historical site commemorating the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, sparking outcry across the country. Actions like these have seriously damaged China's national dignity and trampled on its collective wounds.

However, in many cases the offenders were only subject to administrative sanctions due to a lack of laws regulating such behavior. Offenses may be caused by a lack of historical consciousness, but light punishment is also to be blamed.

Thus, it's imperative to formulate laws to hold those who glorify invasions criminally liable. Only in this way will they understand that there is a line that must not be crossed, otherwise they will pay a heavy price.

To forget history is a betrayal and historical nihilism should not be allowed. Acts that challenge basic moral standards and harm national dignity should be strictly punished in accordance with the law.

(This is an edited excerpt of an article published in Legal Daily on April 27)