COMMENTARY A brighter future for China
and Japan By Tang Liejun
QINGDAO, China - Geographic locations and the
proximity of the two countries offer only one best
course for China and Japan to choose in association with
each other: to build a rational and friendly
relationship, which will benefit not only China and
Japan but the rest of Asia, even the whole world, an
achievable goal though not an easy one. Japan's
reasonable attitude to and reflection on the last war
(World War II and previously the Sino-Japanese War) that
cost countless Chinese lives and unimaginable human
sufferings and Japan's attitude toward the Taiwan issue
are the two key elements to establishing and maintaining
a harmonious relationship between the two countries.
Two giant neighbors but not two
friends China and Japan are two giant Asian
neighbors. China is the most populous nation in Asia and
in the world. After nearly three decades of economic
development it has become the seventh-largest economy in
the world and its dynamic economy has replaced that of
Japan and become the powerhouse of Asia. Based on its
present growth rate it has the potential to expand into
a market even matching that of the United States in
scale within decades.
Japan is the
second-largest economy in the world after the United
States, but its economy stagnated after a long period of
rapid economic development. Japan has invested heavily
in the Chinese market and Japan's capital and
technologies have helped China greatly in its economic
development. In recent years China's booming market has
absorbed a large part of Japan's exports, a major factor
contributing to the recovery of the Japanese economy.
It is evident that the Chinese and Japanese
economies are more closely connected with each other
than ever before, and the people of two countries are
more frequently associated with each other. Yet the
close connection of the two economies and the increasing
association of their people have not led to a better
relationship between the two countries as might be
expected. Political communications between them are
limited, high-ranking officials and top leaders do not
often exchange visits and ideas, especially in recent
years, and mutual understanding has become something to
be desired.
Worse still there has been a growing
trend of strong negative feelings among the people of
the two countries toward each other.
In the
international arena the two neighbors seem unwilling to
cooperate with each other in achieving the same goals;
instead they tend to compete. A typical, unfortunate
example of mutual competition is the recent apparent
(but not yet officially announced) collapse of the
oil-pipeline project from Russia to China, which had
been put forward by Russia around 1992, planned by both
Russia and China for more than 10 years and having won
the approval of the top leaders in Moscow and Beijing.
This undesirable result has brought the two giant
neighbors not much good except high cost, mistrust and
unhappy experience.
In dealing with the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), China
and Japan have not worked together to bring East Asia
into a powerful united economic market; on the contrary,
each side seems to try to bring ASEAN into its own
economic circle, exclusive of the other side.
In
the East China Sea, China and Japan are disputing the
sovereignty of a small island group, and often resort to
provocative actions instead of dialogue in claiming the
territory, a sign of a deteriorating relationship. The
list goes on.
The reasons behind the
problem What has stopped the two countries from
cooperating with each other while cooperation is
obviously more beneficial to both of them? What has
fueled the anger between the Chinese and the Japanese?
Historical reasons Historical factors
are the major reasons for their discord. In recent
history China has been invaded by Japan several times,
especially in World War II, which followed on the heels
of the Sino-Japanese War. China suffered a huge loss of
life, involving countless families. According to the
statistics, more than 30 million Chinese were killed in
the eight years of Japanese invasion. A lot of Chinese
still have wounds in their hearts. Some of them
experienced untold sufferings in the war and more have
heard the painful stories told by their elderly family
members. Moreover, the weapons, mostly chemical, left
behind by Japan in its retreat at the end of the war are
still injuring and killing Chinese. Therefore, the
wounds are still there, old or new.
The wounds
and accompanying humiliation have been inherited by
younger generations and have been worsened by the
Japanese side for Japan has frequently denied the
atrocities and massacres committed in China in the war.
Japan has refused to compensate individuals and families
that suffered much in the war and are still suffering.
Japan has even refused to give a formal apology to China
for its war crimes, not to mention having its top
leaders coming to China, kneeling down before the graves
of those killed in the war, as German leaders did.
Japanese scholars still deliberately avoid discussion of
Japan's wrongdoings in World War II in their textbooks,
presumably with government permission. Japanese leaders
have frequently visited the Yasukuni Shrine where war
criminals and others are enshrined. The list goes on.
All these unfriendly gestures have made the
sufferings of Chinese people more miserable and the
wounds more painful; they compel Chinese to doubt
Japan's sincerity in its regret (no real apology yet)
toward the war and compel Chinese to wonder about
Japan's real purposes. Thus the Chinese have become
increasingly suspicious of Japan's future ambition of
becoming a military power again, and fear that Tokyo
once again would become an aggressor. Unfortunately,
their worries have been proved correct in the steps
taken by Japan away from its peace pledge.
Naturally, Chinese become more sensitive and
resentful toward the Japanese, a result contrary to
China's intention to make friends with Japan when new
China was established. In fact, the Chinese are not
always lost in history, they are not always blaming the
Japanese for their past wrongdoings, but they do care
about Japan's attitude toward the war. They know that
history cannot be changed; they know that younger
Japanese generations are not to blame for the
wrongdoings of their parents or grandparents; they are
looking far ahead in the future and they want a lasting
peace with Japan.
Therefore, when the war ended
Chinese treated Japanese war prisoners very kindly, an
unimaginable thing in a country filled with hatred for
Japanese atrocities and brutality. Taking the sufferings
of Japanese people into consideration, the Chinese
government voluntarily gave up a state claim on war
compensation from Japan, even though China was
unimaginably poor and suffering an extremely difficult
economic condition. This was an enormous generosity,
requiring great courage by any government, but obviously
the aim was to call an end to the past.
China's
generosity has been partly rewarded by Japan in the form
of large amounts of low-interest loans with long
duration and in the form of some technological aid.
Regrettably these admirable measures as a way to heal
the wounds of the Chinese have been overwhelmed by
Japan's continual unfriendly gestures in other areas.
Not surprisingly, Chinese have the feeling that their
kindness has not been fully understood, has not been
properly rewarded, and their good intention has not been
appreciated and accepted by Japan.
Japan's
insufficient interpretation of China's kindness and good
intent has forced China to rethink its policy toward
Japan and has irritated many Chinese, thus resulting in
some excessive reactions to some occasional unfriendly
Japanese actions, such as quarreling and fighting and
booing Japanese during sporting contests. Japan's
actions have even resulted in popular opposition to
Japan's involvement in some large, lucrative projects in
China such as the Beijing and Shanghai high-speed
railway project. China's extreme reactions may have made
Japan very unhappy. Admittedly, Japan also has some
excessive reactions to crimes involving overseas Chinese
students in Japan. The irrational actions of the two
sides are undoubtedly the continuation of the past
problems, and they are of no help in building trust
between the two countries; they surely will have some
negative impact on the normal relationship of the two
countries and will diminish the friendly atmosphere for
cooperation in the future.
The Taiwan
issue
Taiwan is part of China, a
fact acknowledged worldwide, and it has been
clearly and authoritatively stated in the international treaty,
the Potsdam Declaration (1945). But China's civil war after
the defeat of Japan between the Kuomintang troops and
the communist troops ended in the governing
of the mainland and Taiwan by different administrations,
with the mainland administered by the Chinese Communist
Party and Taiwan by the Kuomintang (Nationalist Party), while
both acknowledged they were part of China. Japan ruled the island
for nearly 50 years, and consequently Japan's effect on
the island is noticeable. Japan has forged strong
economic and political ties with Taiwan even if it
formally recognizes the Beijing communist government as
the sole legitimate government of China and Taiwan as
part of China. Clearly Japan's actions are a sign of
disrespect for China's sovereignty, especially when
Taiwan, encouraged by the US, is going to seek
independence from China.
Moreover, Japan is
seeking to change its peace constitution, and has
prepared legally for an intervention in possible
conflict around the Taiwan Strait, probably by joining
the US if China attacks Taiwan when Taiwan formally
declares independence. It is not difficult to understand
that Japan's actions convey no friendly meaning to China
and instead show only that it does not regard China as a
friend or even a possible friend.
Territory
dispute In the East China Sea, both China and
Japan claim sovereignty over a small island. Japan based
on its powerful navy has long allowed its citizens to
organize sovereignty-claim activities such as frequent
visits to the island and the construction of a light
tower on the island. When Chinese attempt to approach
the island on small boats, Japan usually uses warships
to stop them by intentionally crashing into their boats.
Therefore, injuries and death on the Chinese side often
occur in such clashes.
Japan and the US
alliance Japan and the United States are close
allies. Generally speaking any country has the right and
freedom to form alliance with another country or
countries. If the alliance does not harm a third party,
it should not be feared. Yet now the US-Japan alliance
turns its attention against China. It is preparing for
an intervention in a possible conflict between the
mainland and Taiwan to encourage Taiwan independence, an
act that interferes with China's internal affairs and
harms China's core interest - national unity. Naturally,
China feels threatened.
How long will Japan's
peace constitution last? Since the end of War
World II Japan has been ruled by its peace constitution
and guarded by the US. After more than half a century of
fast economic development, Japan has grown economically
and militarily strong and powerful again. Japan has
begun to feel unhappy with the confinements of its peace
constitution and started to seek a breakthrough, which
also temporarily fills a US need for its global
strategy. Sending troops to Iraq was the first break in
the confinements of the peace constitution. More are
expected to come. Understandably, Japan wants to become
a country of "normal status" and to change its
Self-Defense Force into a regular military force. Japan
will become a normal country and should be normal
country, but before a clear delimitation of the past,
Japan's efforts of seeking breakthroughs can hardly win
the understanding or trust from its neighbors.
Japan's policies toward China China
and Japan are neighbors. However, it seems that Japan's
policies toward China do not aim to establish close
friendship but competition and containment. Japan, with
large investment in China, is one of the loudest
speakers to pressure China to revalue its currency,
Japan is the loudest speaker to promote the alleged
"China threat". Japan seems determined to use its
economic power to compete with China for oil all over
the world instead of cooperate, eg, the mentioned oil
competition in Russia. Japan seems deliberately to
target places where China's interests can be mostly
undermined. In this way, it is very difficult for Japan
to eliminate China's distrust of Japan and reduce
Chinese negative feelings toward Japan.
Psychological reasons Surrounded by
the sea, Japan is on long and narrow islands in the
Pacific Ocean east of China. Japan is not rich in
natural resources and most of its territory sits on a
seismic belt, and it is often threatened with natural
disasters including frequent earthquakes. The natural
environment has great impact on the character of
Japanese people. To survive on the crisis-ridden land,
Japanese people tend to be diligent, united,
firm-willed, unyielding, endurable, suppressive,
sensitive, apprehensive, curious, venturous, aggressive,
dominating, practical, and sometimes irrational. As
Japan's territory is made up of comparatively small and
narrow pieces of land in the sea, this kind of
environment would confine people's association with
others and would tend to make people narrow-minded,
arrogant and exclusive in some way.
This
environment-nurtured character helps Japanese people
overcome difficulties and hardships, helps Japan to
change, reform, learn and advance to avoid weakness, and
it also compels Japan to expand to be dominant and to
escape danger.
Thus, from a psychological point
of view, Japan is not willing to apologize for its
wrongdoings in World War II, as it may think that
conquering East Asia, though it was defeated, finally
may be its glorious part in history; killing people or
eliminating lives in war may be inevitable "collateral
damage" in realizing its ambition or even a sign of
dominance. Apologizing for the wrongdoings in the war
may mean a denial of its most glorious part in history.
Even if it is obliged to make an apology for the war
atrocities, the apology may not be heart-felt and may
not represent remorseful reflection on the past since it
may not think it has done anything wrong at all, and on
the contrary it may believe that stronger people should
always dominate the weaker and the weaker should always
be dominated or enslaved. That is probably the reason
Japan holds a totally different attitude toward the war
from that of the Germans. Cultural reasons may have a
role in Japan's present attitude toward World War II.
Eastern people do care much about face and reputation,
but, without actual actions to indicate the real
meaning, the culture element can be excluded.
Future relationship between China,
Japan Since Japan is generally not friendly to
China, can a good relationship be built between China
and Japan? Yes. A good relationship between China and
Japan is the best choice for the two countries and for
the people of the two countries, but it needs
considerable efforts from both sides, particularly from
Japan. China and Japan should aim at building a lasting
peace and a permanent friendship.
Like it or
not, the geographic locations and proximity of the two
countries cannot be chosen or changed. In some way China
and Japan will have to deal with each other.
Historically speaking, neither China and nor Japan will
remain permanently strong or weak. Hatred can accumulate
and can be inherited by younger generations. Tit-for-tat
would only create disasters and sufferings for future
generations and could become a never-ending nightmare.
The example of the relationship between Arabs and
Israelis can serve as a lesson to both Chinese people
and Japanese people in treating each other.
Furthermore, a good relationship between China
and Japan will surely help to integrate the two
economies, to expand the two markets and to make the two
economies more dynamic, thus improving the life of the
people within the two countries and bringing happiness
and prosperity to the two peoples. A good relationship
will also enhance the trust between Chinese people and
Japanese people and between the Chinese government and
the Japanese government, and will create a better
atmosphere for international cooperation.
If
China and Japan could work together to guarantee secure
and cheap supply of oil and other natural resources that
are critical to their development, if China and Japan
could cooperate closely and comprehensively in Asia,
they could put the two economies on a safe and fast
track leading to a longtime development, and would more
closely integrate the two most powerful economies in
Asia. The two integrated economies would likely become
the most powerful economic engine in the world and would
probably help Asia to integrate all its economies and
form an economic community that could be larger than
those of Europe and America put together. And then a
richer, securer and more dignified Asia would emerge.
Such a bright and wonderful future of Asia should not
only be dreamed of by Asian people but must be pursued
with all efforts by all people in Asia.
Can a
good relationship be realized? A good
relationship can be built between the two countries.
China and Japan have the foundation based on more than a
thousand years of close association. China has had great
impact on Japan in culture in history, and now China and
Japan share much in culture and religion and other
fields. Even Japanese lithography has incorporated
Chinese characters. A lot of people now in Japan still
admire Chinese literature, calligraphy and so on.
Japan's present large investment in China and the close
connection of the two economies have provided more
chances for the people of two countries to communicate
with each other and to understand each other.
In
Japan there are many people who advocate a good
relationship between China and Japan. There are some
people who for quite some years have done much to help
those Chinese who experienced unimaginable sufferings in
the war to win the lawsuits against Japanese government,
and some who offered general help when China was
afflicted by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
The Japanese government also gave general help to China
and Japan still supplies some low-interest loans to
China, though the loans have been greatly reduced. All
these are touching stories to Chinese people and are the
bricks that form the foundation of good relationship
between Chinese people and Japanese people and between
China and Japan. Hence, the star of hope to build a good
relationship between China and Japan is already shining.
How to build good relationship? A good
relationship can be built in the following way:
In reporting any unfavorable incidents involving the
two countries, the media of both countries should be
objective and fair without emotional predispositions and
prejudice; they should not encourage nationalism or
exaggerate facts. Objective perspectives in reporting
will help to solve problems more smoothly and easily
without seriously hurting the feelings of the people of
either country.
The citizens of both countries should be taught to
avoid unfriendly actions or insulting words at home and
abroad in the other country, and should be encouraged to
do more to enhance friendship.
The two governments should concertedly promote close
and frequent communication of their peoples at various
levels, especially involving younger generations. They
should provide more convenience for people to visit,
learn and study in the other country so that they can
have better understanding of the other culture and the
feelings of the other people.
High-ranking officials of the two countries should
frequently exchange visits and ideas to increase mutual
misunderstanding at top level as well.
Both governments should take concrete measures to
facilitate the integration of the two economies and to
increase investment in each other's markets and to open
markets to each other.
Both governments should refrain from any provocative
actions on the disputed island or in disputes and
promise to solve problems through dialogue.
In the international arena both should make
cooperation and win-win solution as their priorities.
The core interests of each country should be
respected by the other and the concerns of each country
should be seriously taken into consideration by the
opposite side. Each country should avoid pressuring the
opposite side to unwillingly accept anything and each
country should avoid harming the other's interests.
Much more remains to be done by the two
governments to establish good relationship. As most of
the problems are on the Japanese side, Japan should work
harder to show its willingness and sincerity in building
a good relationship between China and Japan. And the
following should be done as soon as possible:
Japan should courageously face the last war and hold
a reasonable attitude toward it. Give a formal apology
to China and other countries awaiting it.
Japan should compensate generously for those who
have experienced unbelievable sufferings in the war and
who are still suffering and who are entitled to the
compensation. Though lives, freedom and happiness cannot
be bought by money, generous compensation will show
Japan's courage and seriousness in facing the last war
and will help heal the wounds of the suffers. This will
also establish Japan as a responsible country in the
world community.
Japan's leaders should stop visiting the temple
where war criminals have been enshrined or build another
temple to separate war criminals from others.
Japan should avoid encouraging Taiwan independence
and avoid using the Japan-US alliance against China. If
possible Japan should be positive toward China's
unification cause, and at least Japan should keep a
neutral position in the alliance.
Japan should stop military actions around the
disputed island and resort to peaceful channels to solve
the matter. And China should do the same.
As for
China, the most urgent task is to help persuade North
Korea to give up its nuclear program - that's what China
has been doing and is still pursuing. China should also
persuade Pyongyang to take Tokyo's concerns into careful
consideration.
If all these things are done, or
undertaken sincerely, we have enough reason to expect a
bright future for China and Japan, for the Chinese and
Japanese people, for people in Asia and in the world. It
is the obligation of every citizen in China and Japan to
turn the dream into reality.
Tang
Liejun teaches English at Qingdao University,
Qingdao city, Shandong province, China.
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