In late December, as China's Ambassador to Japan Wang Yi spoke
with China News Weekly at his home in the quiet residential
area of Moto-Azabu in Tokyo, the tranquility was broken by the
loudspeakers of right-wing demonstrators across the street.
There is no denying that the new ambassador was confronted with
complex circumstances when he received his appointment last
September. Besides Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's
controversial visits to Yasukuni Shrine, Wang's agenda has included
such thorny issues as the dispute over the exploitation of gas
fields in the East China Sea, Japan's claim that a Chinese
submarine entered its waters on November 10, Japan's threat to end
its Official Development Assistance (ODA) to China and former
Taiwan leader Lee Teng-hui's visit.
But Wang believes that diplomacy does not stop with major
events. It extends to all levels of society, and an important part
of his job is to help build bridges between peoples.
On November 5, he invited over 300 nearby residents to visit the
Chinese embassy.
"It was a real surprise for me to learn that all the invited
neighbors, all with different occupations, have links with China
one way or another," Wang said. He said that they had business or
personal contacts with China, and that a number of them including a
70-year-old man were studying the language. "This indicates that
since the two countries established diplomatic relations over 30
years ago, their friendship has been deeply rooted among the
people."
On November 17, he invited some 190 Chinese students from Yokohama
Yamate Chinese School to visit the embassy.
Wang noted that historically, unofficial diplomacy has played an
important role in developing bilateral relations. Whenever the two
countries have been at loggerheads, nongovernmental contacts have
helped get their governments through the crisis.
"China has changed a lot. Not only diplomats but also people
visiting Japan should take the responsibility to help Japanese
people know more about China. For instance, there are over 70,000
Chinese students studying in Japan, accounting for 70 percent of
the total foreign students in the country. Having dealings with
Japanese every day, they can play a positive role in promoting
people-to-people exchanges, which in turn will improve the two
states' diplomatic ties."
In December, the Japanese cabinet issued a poll showing that
just 38 percent of the Japanese people feel close to China. Wang
said many Japanese still harbor misunderstandings about Chinese
culture.
After World War II, over 1,000 Japanese war criminals were
detained in northeast China. With a view toward furthering future
bilateral relations, the Chinese government granted them amnesty
and repatriated them to Japan. "This case demonstrates the Chinese
people's magnanimity," Wang said.
The economic doldrums Japan has suffered for the past several
years also have an impact. It is difficult for many Japanese to
accept neighboring China's rapid growth, and some regard the
country as a potential threat. Wang pointed out that the current
situation reflects a relationship in transition, which requires
both sides to handle existing problems in an objective and calm
way.
In fact, China's development is crucial to the economic recovery
of Japan. Last year, bilateral trade topped US$160 billion. China
is the world's largest market, and its steadily growing demand has
given impetus to Japan's exports and helped revitalize its fading
industries, like steel and shipbuilding.
But politically, the two countries are becoming increasingly
disconnected, and this phenomenon will harm economic ties if it is
allowed to continue. Whether done out of neighborliness or simply
for Japan's own interests, political barriers between the two must
be eliminated soon, Wang said.
(China.org.cn by Shao Da, January 24, 2005)