On September 29, 1972, Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai and Japanese
Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka signed the Sino-Japanese Joint
Statement, declaring to the world that the two countries had
restored formal diplomatic relations.
Though of different social systems, the two countries should and
can build a peaceful and friendly relationship, which corresponds
to the interests of both peoples and contributes to calming the
troubled state of affairs in Asia and maintaining world peace.
The Joint Statement opened a new chapter in the history of the
two countries' relations, which go back more than 2,000 years with
close cultural, philosophical, social and even religious links.
Thirty-five years later, the two peoples should thank the late
Chinese and Japanese politicians for their wisdom and
far-sightedness in normalizing relations.
Since then, the two countries have expanded the economic and
social foundations for continuing reciprocal cooperation not only
in trade, but also in energy, environmental protection, finance,
high-tech, communications and intellectual property protection, as
well as in people-to-people exchanges.
There have also been troubling moments in the relationship,
which were aggravated to the point of political stalemate for some
five years in the not too distant past.
At issue is not that both China and Japan have undergone
tremendous changes and risen in importance in terms of economic
development and international affairs.
At issue is history. The Japanese side has already declared in
the Joint Statement that they recognize that Japan should shoulder
the responsibility of war that brought immense sufferings to the
Chinese people and, for that, they have expressed deep
reflection.
The history of the first half of 20th century, when Japan
repeatedly invaded China and other countries in the Asia-Pacific
region, showed that war and aggression would bring harm not only to
other countries but also to Japan itself.
History is the mirror, and the two countries should be able to
inherit the political legacy left by their late leaders and
treasure this moment of improved understanding, which marks a new
phase of cooperation.
Only enhanced mutual political trust, expansion of common
ground, increased collaborations in all sectors and exchanges
between the two peoples will bring long-term benefits not only to
the two countries but also to the peace and development in Asia and
the world.
(China Daily September 29, 2007)
