Unlike in Europe where Germany's apology for its war past has led to total rapprochement, the reconciliation among countries in Asia over WWII is incomplete, mainly because of Japanese politicians' refusal to own up to Japan's past. To be honest, some Japanese politicians have "apologized" for their country's military past, but a majority of them have provoked other Asian countries by denying Japan did anything wrong before and during WWII. Japanese officials' reluctance to express remorse for and desperate bid to disown their country's past have prevented true reconciliation between Japan and its WWII victim countries, including China.

China has always believed in giving the past a decent burial, and employed a "looking forward" approach four decades ago to normalize relations with Japan. Also, China shares the view that "Japanese people too were the victims of Japan's imperialist aggression". But Japan's rightwing politicians have often rebuffed China's approach. As a result Japan's relations with China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea have become increasingly unstable.

In this regard, the US is again in a unique position, because it can be a bridge to reconciliation between China, its WWII ally, and Japan, its present ally. Sure, the US is worried about China's rise, but that is no excuse for it to turn a blind eye to Japan's provocative acts.

The activities China has planned to observe the 70th anniversary of the victory in the fight against fascism offer a new opportunity to review the past and turn a new leaf in history. By inviting American and Japanese leaders to attend the activities, China sent a message that it is ready to jointly set the past right and work in collaboration in the future. If the US leadership is indeed farsighted, it should not fail to capitalize on such an opportunity to bridge the divide between China and Japan.

The author is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.ccgp-fushun.com/opinion/shendingli.htm