Chinese and Japanese citizens have found themselves inextricably
linked by strong cultural bonds. This is evident from the
interviews conducted by Beijing Review reporters Zhang
Yuying and Miao Xiaoyang. They spoke to Yu Qiang, a Chinese writer
who has been devoted to promoting China-Japan friendship and
cultural exchanges for the past two decades; Weng Xianxian, a
graduate student at the Beijing-based Renmin University of China;
and Goro Yotsumoto and Shoji Hanamura, Japanese students at Capital
Normal University in Beijing.
Yu Qiang
Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Japan will be an ice-breaking
tour. I feel greatly encouraged. The relationship between China and
Japan can be likened to a ship sailing on the vast sea. When the
sea is calm, passengers on the ship are at ease. When it becomes
turbulent, they feel uncomfortable or even utter bitter complaints.
The relationship can also be likened to the boundless sky. When the
weather is fine and the sun is shining, people are in high spirits.
When there are dark clouds and chilly gusts, they are overwhelmed
with distress.
I was regretful and concerned about the strained China-Japan
relations in recent years. Some of my Japanese friends also showed
concern in their letters. In this context, the Shanghai
International (China-Japan) Poem Recital that I initiated had to be
canceled because of the small registration in 2005 and 2006. Since
the China-Japan relationship has taken a turn for the better, I
often receive letters from Japanese friends asking me to reopen the
recital. The friendly ties between the Chinese and Japanese are
long-lasting and cannot be severed.
It is the common aspiration of the two nations to pass on their
friendly relations from generation to generation. I believe Premier
Wen's trip will help create a pleasant climate for bilateral
relations.
Weng Xianxian
Before I visited Japan under a study program in January this
year, I had learned about Japan mainly from TV shows, cartoons and
books. This program gave me an opportunity to see this traditional
yet modern country with my own eyes.
What impressed me most during my 20-day stay was Japan's
seamless combination of traditional culture and modern
civilization. Take a walk along a busy street and you will find
towering skyscrapers and quaint teahouses alike. The Japanese
nation's eagerness to learn and openness have helped shape a
distinctive culture characterized by tolerance and inclusiveness. I
was also impressed by the thoughtfulness and courtesy of the
Japanese people. For example, there are special lanes for visually
impaired people in the streets. In buses and subway trains, there
are seats reserved for the disabled. People working in service
industries are extremely polite to their customers. Whenever we
were in need, those around us would give us a helping hand.
Moreover, garbage cans are found in every nook and cranny of
Japanese cities. In Japan, all types of rubbish are classified,
treated and recycled. With a strong sense of environmental
protection, the Japanese see great value in using resources
efficiently.
Despite its brevity, my experience in Japan was really
thought-provoking. At the same time, it awakened me to the problems
in bilateral relations such as Japan's evaluation of its wartime
history. But I am confident that our two nations can resolve the
problems by strengthening mutual exchanges and bringing into full
play the talents of the young people. As I familiarized myself with
Chuo University, where I did my studies, and some Japan-China
friendship organizations in Japan, I came to realize the importance
of communication, which I think will enable us to dispel
misunderstanding, draw on each other's strong points and achieve
win-win results.
Goro Yotsumoto
I am a civil servant with the Japanese Coast Guard, sent to
study in China by the Japanese Government. Given the frequent
exchanges between Japan and China these days, Japan's Coast Guard
has a number of cooperative programs with China's Ministry of
Public Security and Ministry of Communications, so we need staff
members who have good Chinese skills and know China well. That's
why the Japanese Government sends some of its employees to study in
China every year. After completing their studies, they will return
to Japan and work with China.
I think Premier Wen's coming trip is of great importance to
bilateral relations. It will be another visit paid by a Chinese
premier to Japan after a seven-year break. It indicates that the
Japan-China relationship is developing in the right direction. As
the two countries improve their political ties, I believe our
cooperation on various fronts will make great strides.
Shoji Hanamura
Today, more and more Japanese students want to study in China.
With a keen interest in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, some have
come to study classical Chinese literature. Some who started to
practice calligraphy in their childhood have come to study Chinese
calligraphy. Some are martial arts fans who have come to study
Chinese kungfu. Others, like me, have come to learn the Chinese
language in the spirit of promoting Japan-China exchanges.
Before I came, I worked in the food trade between Japan and
China. I will continue to work in the trade sector in Beijing after
I finish my studies. The Chinese culture and lifestyle are highly
attractive to the Japanese. Although the Chinese currency has
appreciated, the cost of living in China is not high.
The rifts in Japan-China relations were exposed in the recent
past. However, since Prime Minister Abe visited China in October
last year, bilateral relations have been improving. Premier Wen's
visit to Japan this April is a much-anticipated event in both Japan
and China. I think high-level visits between the two countries will
promote their economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
As they expand their cooperation in business, culture and science
and technology, more and more Japanese will come to study and work
in China.
(Beijing Review April 10,
2007)
