The Sino-Japanese friendly cooperative relations have achieved remarkable development despite frequent frustrations since the normalization of diplomatic relations more than 30 years ago. However, the Sino-Japan relations still face serious tests in view of the intricate problems these years.  

Right after the founding of the People's Republic of China, the late Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai have reiterated that we must separate the majority of Japanese from the minority of militarists in Japan. The common Japanese should not be blamed form the war, and they were also the victims of the war. Meanwhile, we also needed to make a distinction between governmental decision-makers and common officials. Under the complicated circumstance at that time, people in China launched numerous civil exchanges in various forms with common Japanese, veterans, prisoners of wars and even the high-ranking political officials. Thanks to the role of irreversible civil friendly exchanges, the two East Asian giants realized the normalization of diplomatic relations.

With people to push official ahead and go forward hand in hand, the fine tradition has been carried forward after the normalization of Sino-Japan diplomatic relations. And the main theme of friendly Sino-Japanese cooperation has never changed though some sharp disputes occurred between the two countries. We should cherish the positive results of Sino-Japanese cooperation. When facing the current complicated situation, on one hand we should stick to our principles and fight against the negative aspects of Japanese policies toward China; on the other hand, we should push forward the strengthening and development of civil groups dedicated to Sino-Japanese friendly cooperation and promote the healthy development between the two countries.

On the occasion of the normalization of Sino-Japanese relations, the proposal of "always standing by one's words and undertaking nothing that one does not bring to achievement" brought forward by the late Premier Zhou Enlai and the response of "trustworthiness is the foundation of everything" put forward by former Japanese Prime Minister Tanaka Kakuei demonstrated the importance of mutual understanding and mutual trust to the development of Sino-Japanese friendship.

However, people's friendly feeling in the two countries toward each other has been soured in light of the recent tension between China and Japan, and the frequent visits between the two countries have not boosted the growth of mutual understanding and mutual trust.

Civil friendship is the main force that drives the development of Sino-Japanese friendship. Currently, there are positive conditions for the enhancement of Sino-Japanese civil friendship.

l         Peace, anti-war, anti-nuclear and promotion of friendly relations with China have been the main theme in postwar Japan. So far, it has not changed yet.

l         We shall not underestimate the right-wing force in Japanese political arena though most Japanese are not for their extreme words and deeds.

l         Since the normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations, there are numerous groups and personnel dedicated to the cause of Sino-Japanese friendship. We should foster and encourage the growth of these civil groups and personnel.

l         Although the policies formulated by Japanese ruling party is rather negative toward China, it is still willing to keep dialogue and cooperation as well as healthy bilateral relations with China, particularly the development of economic cooperation and regional cooperation in East Asia.

The extensive exchanges between China and Japan aim at making China's policies toward Japan and the response of Chinese toward the problems understood by the majority of Japanese. We should bring about the peaceful resolution of the relevant problems and push forward the healthy and stable development of Sino-Japanese relations with our Japanese counterpart.

(People's Daily May 18, 2005)