This undated photo shows national flags of China and Japan. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
Japan and China should make a concerted effort to manage their bilateral relationship with great care, strengthen communication between the governments, and engage in cooperation in various fields, said politicians during a commemorative event marking the 45th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship.
In the last 45 years, the power dynamics between Japan and China have greatly reversed. The international environment surrounding both countries, including the China-US relationship, has also undergone significant changes, politicians said during the event in Tokyo on Thursday.
“As we celebrate the 45th anniversary of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, our relationship is currently at a crossroads. While power politics and nationalism might lead us astray, we must hold on to rationality and hope,” Yukio Hatoyama, former Japanese prime minister, told the audience in Tokyo on Thursday.
Speaking of how to steer the China-Japan relationship in a positive direction, Hatoyama said: “It’s crucial to take into account each other’s perspectives. Rather than disliking each other due to differing values and systems, it’s important to acknowledge differences, mutual respect and mutual understanding.”
As we celebrate the 45th anniversary of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, our relationship is currently at a crossroads. While power politics and nationalism might lead us astray, we must hold on to rationality and hope.
Yukio Hatoyama, former Japanese prime minister
He highlighted the importance to address the Taiwan Strait situation on handling the bilateral relationship.
He noted that Liberal Democratic Party Vice-President Taro Aso recently visited Taipei and stressed the need for Japan, the United States and Taiwan to be prepared to fight in the event of a “Taiwan crisis”, which draws sharp criticism from Beijing and others.
“Japan should uphold its constitutional commitment to renounce war and confirm its adherence to peaceful dispute resolution and non-use of force. The Japanese government also needs to respect the position that Taiwan is a part of China, as outlined in the China-Japan joint statement inked in 1972, and refrain from supporting ‘Taiwan independence,’” Hatoyama said.
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Takakage Fujita, director-general of a civil group dedicated to upholding and developing the well-known Murayama Statement, called for Japan to restore a normal and friendly neighboring relationship with China, instead of blindly following the US and rushing headlong into an anti-Chinese mainland encirclement under the pretext of a “Taiwan contingency”.
Japan, after the US, began regulating cutting-edge technology exports to China under the pretext of economic and security concerns. This is likely to trigger backlash from China and lead to conflicts and goes against Japan’s national interests in the long run, Fujita said.
“With many of you, I want to contemplate how the relationship between Japan and China in the 21st century should be. We must ask ourselves: Is it right to continue to depict China as a hypothetical enemy and move steadily toward war preparations?
Takakage Fujita, director-general of a civil group dedicated to upholding and developing the well-known Murayama Statement, called for Japan to restore a normal and friendly neighboring relationship with China, instead of blindly following the US and rushing headlong into an anti-Chinese mainland encirclement under the pretext of a “Taiwan contingency”
“China is not an enemy. It’s our largest trading partner. And true security for Japan lies in a strong friendship with China,” Fujita said.
Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao said the two countries must firmly grasp the correct direction of peace, friendship and cooperation, and build a Sino-Japanese relationship that aligns with the requirements of the new era.
China and Japan signed a treaty named after peace and friendship due to the shared experience of a war history inflicted by Japanese militarism that caused suffering to both nations, Wu said.
“Today, 45 years later, some individuals within Japan seem to have forgotten the lessons of history. They propagate the idea of a ‘China threat,’ incite tensions in the Taiwan Strait, and even threaten to enhance their military deterrence, embracing a dangerous rhetoric. Succumbing to such misleading notions could lead Japan astray once again,” he said.
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Those people seem to be aligning with certain countries in attempts to contain China’s development, and weaken or even sever economic and trade ties between China and Japan. It is imperative to overcome these obstacles and maintain the theme of win-win cooperation, he said.
“In the current context, enhancing people-to-people exchanges to promote mutual understanding is of paramount importance,” said Wu.
Starting today, China will fully resume group tours of Chinese tourists to Japan, and also welcome more Japanese citizens to visit China.
“This will allow them to gain a more authentic and comprehensive understanding of contemporary China,” Wu said, adding that measures to facilitate visa issuance are being further optimized in this regard.
