Chinese diplomatic experts on Friday reproached Japanese Foreign
Minister Taro Aso for his repeated remarks damaging
Sino-Japanese relations, saying Aso's behavior does not match
his rank of a top minister.
As an important member of the Japanese Cabinet, experts said,
Aso undertakes the responsibility of promoting relations with
China. However, he has continuously created trouble, openly
distorting history and interfering in China's internal affairs,
which have deeply hurt the feelings of the Chinese people and
damaged bilateral relations.
Aso has made repeated aggressive remarks in the recent ten days.
He once again called Taiwan a "country", said China's "unclear"
defense spending growth will "greatly threaten or frighten other
countries", wrote in an article that he is waiting for a
"democratic China" and hopes China will control domestic
nationalism and avoid "imperialism".
Ma Junwei, a researcher with the China Institute of Contemporary
International Relations, said, "Aso's repeated defiant remarks
hardly match his rank of foreign minister."
A researcher on Japanese issues with the Chinese Academy of
Social Sciences, Lu Yaodong, said that Aso's remarks betrayed his
"lack of diplomatic common sense".
Lu said China's social system, traditional culture, development
needs and national interests have determined China's perseverance
in following a peaceful road of development. China will be a major
force safeguarding world peace and stability instead of seeking
hegemony, Lu acknowledged.
"Aso has never regarded China's peaceful development as a
beneficial result for Sino-Japanese cooperation, but has played up
the 'China threat' and criticized China's political system. This is
harmful to Sino-Japanese relations," said Ma.
"As the Japanese Foreign Minister, Aso should have made efforts
to repair the already frosty China-Japan relations, but he has
shown no interest in easing tensions and instead has further
undermined the relations," said Liu Jiangyong, a professor with the
prestigious Qinghua
University in Beijing.
Aso's remarks have aroused great opposition from the Chinese
government and the people in both China and Japan.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said that Aso's
remarks are "incomprehensible" and it is very improper for Aso, the
top diplomat of Japan, to make such irresponsible remarks on
China's political system.
Qin said the crucial thing for Japanese authorities now is to
have a correct view toward history and gain real trust from
neighboring countries in Asia, Qin said. China has always advocated
respect and equality between all nations and opposed any country
which poses as a teacher.
The Japan-China Friendship Association raised on Tuesday a
protest against Aso, asking him to take back his remarks and resign
from his post of foreign minister, the website of China Radio
International reported.
Despite the diplomatic troubles that have been caused by Aso,
there has been no criticism on Aso from Japanese leaders. Experts
said this has boosted Aso's arrogance.
Experts also said there is personal political ambition behind
Aso's remarks. "Aso has ulterior motives in his remarks; that is
precisely to cater to the right-wing forces of Japan and to make
his own success amid political competitions," said Ma.
(Xinhua News Agency March 18, 2006)
