"Mountains do not move in the howling of strong winds."
Speaking to Japan's Diet yesterday, Premier Wen Jiabao quoted
the Japanese saying. Despite icy periods, China-Japan relations
rest on a foundation as solid as Mountain Taishan and Fujiyama.
Such bedrock makes it possible for bilateral relationship to
open to bright new vistas.
?
The first Chinese leader to deliver a speech before the Diet in 22
years, Wen said he came to Japan in friendship.
In his basket is more than friendship. China and Japan issued a
joint communique on Wednesday upgrading their friendship to a
strategic, mutually beneficial relationship.
?
This is more than a political pledge. Seemingly, the two countries
have responded realistically to signs of the times.
For the first time since World War II, East Asia is the location
of two important countries. Rapid economic development has made
China a growing presence on the world stage, while Japan is
ambitious to play a bigger political role in international
affairs.
Both need to rethink their strategy in dealing with each
other.
During Wen's Japan visit that ends today, the two nations
reached a consensus on building a new bilateral relationship.
The declaration of a strategic, mutually beneficial relationship
reflects a realistic and pragmatic attitude toward the two
countries' new circumstances.
This will pave the way politically for handling the thorny
issues concerning history and the East China Sea. A long-term
healthy relationship between China and Japan should not be held
hostage by these problems.
After six years of political chill, the guiding force of reason
will serve as a compass as the relationship moves forward.
As the cornerstone of future relations, the three political
documents between the two countries the 1972 Joint Statement, the
1978 Peace and Friendship Treaty, and the 1998 Joint Declaration
should be upheld, and political promises should be honored.
In their joint communique, the two countries clarified the areas
they will concentrate on. Dialogue will be initiated on the
economy, energy, environmental protection and the military.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is due to visit China again in autumn.
All these developments show signs of a growing China-Japan
relationship.
(China Daily April 13, 2007)
