Japan's new PM needs to respect China's core interests, development demands

(Xinhua)

08:30, August 30, 2011

Japanese Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda gives a speech after winning Japan's ruling party presidential election in Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 29, 2011. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)
BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Japan, under its new leadership, should take concrete and substantial steps to promote its relations with China, and respect China's core interests.

Yoshihiko Noda only awaits pro forma parliamentary election to become Japan's new prime minister and his task in relation to China is clear.

Though fast-burgeoning bilateral trade has made China Japan's largest trading partner since 2009, the two major powers in East Asia still run into disputes from time to time, threatening the peace and stability of the region. And Japan has to be blamed for that.

While intentionally skirting around its heinous crimes committed while invading China from 1937 to 1945, some right-wing politicians in Japan have always tried to cover up or distort that particular period of bloody and dark history of humanity, further fueling the hostilities between Chinese and Japanese.

Moreover, Tokyo has managed its relationship with Beijing without due respect for China's core interests and legitimate demands for development, trumpeting a "China threat" theory for ulterior motives.

The new Japanese government needs to start to appreciate the undisputed fact that a deeply troubled China-Japan relationship and dire mistrust would by no means serve the interests of either side, not to mention that of the region and the world as a whole.

To improve the relationship between the world's second and third biggest economies, Noda's cabinet has to carefully craft and implement a proper policy in treating Japan's war past to soothe the resentment among the Chinese public toward Japan.

Plus, no Japanese politician should ever visit the Yasukuni Shrine, which is a symbol of Japan's past militarism and honors some 2.5 million Japanese war dead, including 14 war criminals. And it should never let these historical problems take the two nations' relationship hostage.

Furthermore, Japan needs to show enough respect for China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity, especially when it comes to matters concerning Diaoyu islands, which are an integral part of China's territory.

China has always made itself clear that it would like to settle its differences with Japan through candid dialogue.

Beijing is also willing to shelve differences and jointly explore with Japan the resources in the surrounding waters of the Diaoyu Islands, on condition that Tokyo recognized China's complete sovereignty over the archipelago.

Additionally, Japan should acknowledge China's legitimate requirement for military modernization to defend its growing national interests.

It should also stop viewing China as a threat and call off its dangerous practice of invoking China's rise as an excuse to discard the defense-oriented policy after World War II for its own military expansion.

Improving the relationship between China and Japan would not only benefit the two East Asian nations, but also help promote peace and stability in the region.

Now, the keys to better that pair of relations are in the hands of Japan as substantial measures are expected from its new government. 

 

Email|Print|Comments（Editor：燕勐）

Increases the bookmark

• twitter
• facebook
• Sina Microblog
• digg
• Google
• Delicious
• buzz
• friendfeed
• Linkedin
• diigo
• reddit
• stumbleupon
• Qzone
• QQ Microblog

Related Reading

1. Yoshihiko Noda set to become Japanese PM
2. Profile: Yoshihiko Noda, a fiscal hawk flies into Japan's top post
3. Yoshihiko Noda wins Japan's ruling party presidential election
4. Japan's ruling party starts electing president
5. Senior CPC officials vow to boost relations with Japan
6. Solar bathroom donation program launches in Tibet
7. Japan's GSDF holds annual military drill near Mt. Fuji
8. Kan, U.S. VP hold talks on joint post-quake rebuilding efforts
9. Japan's ruling party to hold presidential race on Aug. 29 if two bills passed
10. Trust is vital for Sino-Japanese ties

Leave your comment0 comments

1. Name
2. 
   

Weekly review

1. Pentagon stands as bastion of mistrust of China
2. Reflect on negative effects of Libya war
3. Tripoli battle not over as Gaddafi forces strike back
4. Armored combat vehicles speedily board warship
5. Formation flying drill promotes all-weather capability
6. China's largest cloud computing base settled in Nanjing
7. Trial voyage turns 'China threat theory' on its head
8. Four Sri Lankan policemen sentenced to death for murder Most Popular
   • Four Sri Lankan policemen sentenced to …
   • Armored combat vehicles speedily board …
   • Hurricane Irene killed 4 in Dominican R…
   • Reflect on negative effects of Libya war
   • Trial voyage turns 'China threat theory…
   • Beijing insists book not for sex educat…
   • Pentagon stands as bastion of mistrust …
   • China raises air security in heightened…
   • Tripoli battle not over as Gaddafi forc…
   • China to appeal WTO rare earths ruling
   

   Opinions

   1. Economic storm casts pall on Sarkozy's China visit
   2. US may face tough sell on quantitative easing
   3. Asia to lead global economy out of crisis
   4. Europe threatened with banking casualties
   5. Two years of Chinese Weibo, highs, lows and all
   6. China to allow foreign direct investment in RMB
   7. French president makes unexpected visit to China
   8. Reflect on negative effects of Libya war
   

   

   

   What's happening in China

   Marriage law ruling may
   help home sales

   1. Death toll rises to 18 in bus-truck crash in N China
   2. China arrests over 900 in tainted pork crackdown
   3. More cities impose housing purchase limits
   4. For today's SUV buyers, small is good
   5. Drought leaves millions facing water shortage
   

   PD Online Data

   1. The Yi ethnic minority
   2. The Salar ethnic minority
   3. The Tu ethnic minority
   4. The Pumi ethnic minority
   5. The Naxi ethnic minority