Peace and Prosperity Require Sino-Japanese Calm

Peace and Prosperity Require Sino-Japanese Calm 
China Times editorial (Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China) 
A Translation 
January 2, 2014

Summary: Taiwan and Mainland China are inseparable culturally. They share a common destiny. They also have a deep appreciation for the values of Japan's civil society. We earnestly appeal to Japan. Remove the tablets of WWII war criminals from the shrine. Reflect on your past misdeeds. Mainland China should also demonstrate a more mature and rational attitude. Together we must strive to resolve our differences.

Full text below:

The confrontation between Mainland China and Japan is increasingly fierce. This increases the likelihood of conflict between the two sides. It also casts a shadow over Asian-Pacific peace. These countries have spent a great deal of time and effort to create a stable and prosperous growth environment. But it can be destroyed overnight by reckless action. Mainland China and Japan should calmly resolve their disputes. They should demonstrate a responsible attitude toward national growth and regional stability.

In recent years, frequent clashes have damaged relations between Japan and Mainland China. The proximate cause is the dispute over the sovereignty of the Diaoyutai Islands. For example, when the Japanese government "nationalized" the Diaoyutai Islands, Mainland China responded by conducting routine military patrols through Diaoyutai Island waters. It proclaimed its baselines for an East China Sea ADIZ, and responded in other ways as well.

A few days ago, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ignored Korean feelings and visited the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, angering the ROK as well. Mainland Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi issued a statement. He called on Abe to acknowledge that his visit to the shrine was a blunder. He said Abe's visit had a bearing on the issue of aggression and resistance to aggression, to right and wrong, to light and dark, and to Japan's relations with its Asian neighbors and the international community.

Mainland Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said that Abe slammed the door shut on dialogue with Mainland Chinese leaders. In other words, communication channels between Mainland China and Japan are already closed. If Japan's attitude does not improve, Mainland Chinese leaders will not be holding a summit with Abe.

The last time a currently serving Japanese prime minister visited the Yasukuni Shrine was seven years ago. Junichiro Koizumi's visit worsened Japan's relations with both China and Korea. Later, to reduce tensions, Japanese prime ministers ceased visiting Yasukuni. Abe, alas, is marching down the same ultranationalist path as Koizumi. During his second term, he began taking a hardline militarist path. He increased the military budget. He called for a constitutional amendment and National Defense Program Outline. He is clearly preparing for possible military confrontation.

Actually, far deeper conflicts between China and Japan. underly the Diaoyutai sovereignty dispute.

Historical grievances remain unresolved. Unlike Germany, Japan has never offered a sincere apology for its colonialist past. In recent years, right-wing nationalism and militarism have increased. Attempts have been made to deny the Rape of Nanking, to whitewash Japan's history textbooks and to deny that Japan ever enslaved comfort women. Needless to say, such actions have outraged the victim countries.

The rise of Mainland China is rapidly changing the Asian-Pacific strategic situation. Japan was once first in Asia. Now it has been demoted to second place. Mainland China is challenging the United States' post-war status in the Asian-Pacific region. Japan has long been dependent on the United States. It must consider the prospect that one day Mainland Chinese influence in the Asian-Pacific may overshadow that of the United States. Mainland China may even be able to make an amphibious landing on the Diaoyutai islands. For Japan, that would present an extremely tough challenge. A Mainland Chinese occupation of the Diaoyutai Islands would constitute a major humiliation against Japan's national dignity.

The historical feud must be settled justly. The political map of Asia will surely undergo a major re-shuffle. But these issues need not be settled through conflict. Many major international controversies have been resolved through consultation and dialogue. Nearly 70 years of post-war peace and stability have enabled the Asian-Pacific countries to grow strong. They have enabled them to enrich their people and establish tranquil homelands. Everyone must work together to protect such an environment. They must treasure it. They must not ignore the potential consequences.

Japan must understand why it is constantly being criticized concerning historical grievances. Japan is constantly being criticized because it has stubbornly refused to admit its own wrongdoing. Without sincere repentance, Japan can never be forgiven. Without forgiveness, neither victim nor victimizer, can leave the pain behind. Today's Japan is not being criticized because its military is not sufficiently strong. Japan's stubborn determination to strengthen its military, is not going to improve Japan's relations with its Asian neighbors. It will only reawaken hatred of Japanese militarism.

Mainland China has undergone reform and liberalization. Its economy is growing by leaps and bounds. It has successfully maintained stable growth. This is rare in history. Among developing economies Mainland China still needs catching up. This is an important stage of its growth. Ethnic sentiments must not be allowed to precipitate Sino-Japanese conflict and frustrate the pace of progress. A peaceful and stable environment will contribute to Asian-Pacific prosperity. It also constitutes the basis for Mainland China's rapid economic growth. Domestic problems beleager the Mainland.. The last thing the Mainland needs is impatience in its relations with Japan.

As Xi Jinping noted, the Pacific Ocean is big enough to accommodate both the United States and China. In fact, Asia is big enough to accommodate both China and Japan, as well as other Asian countries. The Asian-Pacific countries have similar cultures. They are located close to each other. They enjoy frequent exchanges. There is nothing they cannot sit down and talk over. Where there is a will, there is a way. There is no need for a zero sum game. Everyone can create and share prosperity and progress.

Taiwan and Mainland China are inseparable culturally. They share a common destiny. They also have a deep appreciation for the values of Japan's civil society. We earnestly appeal to Japan. Remove the tablets of WWII war criminals from the shrine. Reflect on your past misdeeds. Mainland China should also demonstrate a more mature and rational attitude. Together we must strive to resolve our differences.

社論－和平繁榮為尚 盼中日冷靜自持
稍後再讀
中國時報 本報訊
2014年01月02日 04:09

中日之間對立日趨激烈，不但讓雙方爆發衝突的可能性提高，也為亞太和平投下陰影。一個安定繁榮的發展環境，是相關國家耗費許多心力時間才打造成熟的，卻可能一夕間被輕率魯莽的行動所破壞。中日兩國都應該冷靜化解爭執，為國家發展及區域安定展現負責態度。

近年來，在頻頻相互刺激下，日本與中國的關係不斷惡化。直接引爆爭議的導火線是釣魚台主權之爭，例如日本政府將釣魚台國有化之後，中國大陸便以船艦軍機「例行性」巡防釣魚台海域、發布領海基線及東海防空別區等動作反制。

而日前日本首相安倍晉三不顧中、韓觀感，堅持參拜深受爭議的靖國神社，也進一步刺激了中、韓兩國。中國大陸國務委員楊潔篪發表談話，除了要求安倍承認錯誤，並指出這是關乎侵略與反侵略、正義與邪惡、光明與黑暗的大是大非問題，也關乎日本同亞洲鄰國和國際社會關係政治基礎的重大原則。

中國外交部發言人秦剛則接著表示，安倍自己關閉了與中國領導人對話的大門。這意味著中國已經切斷與日本領袖的對話管道，如果日方態度沒有改善，中方領導人不會與安倍舉行高峰會。

距離上次日本現任首相參拜靖國神社已有7年之久，之前是小泉純一郎，當時引發日本與中、韓關係惡化，之後為了降低緊張，日本首相便一直不曾參拜靖國。而今和小泉同樣走右傾國家主義路線的安倍，卻在二度執政後，開始採取強硬的建軍強國路線，增加軍事預算、推動修憲、修改防衛大綱等等動作，都明顯在為未來可能的軍事狀況作準備。

其實在釣魚台主權之爭的背後，中日之間還有更深刻巨大的矛盾。

往回看，歷史的恩怨未解，因為日本不但沒有像德國一樣真心誠意地懺悔侵略殖民的過往，近年來更在右派民族主義與軍國主義的民粹聲浪中，出現試圖否定南京大屠殺、在教科書中淡化歷史過錯、不承認強徵慰安婦等行徑，受害國當然無法忍受這種無恥的作為。

而向前看，中國的崛起正迅速改變亞太局勢，日本過去亞洲一哥的地位已經退居第二，美國在戰後主導亞太的優勢也將受到中國的強烈挑戰。長期倚靠美國的日本，必須慎重思考有朝一日中國在亞太的影響力將凌駕美國，甚至有能力對釣魚台進行奪島攻擊。對日本來說，那將是極為嚴峻的挑戰；萬一中國占領釣魚台，更是國家尊嚴的重大羞辱。

然而，歷史的宿怨固然必須還一個公道，未來亞太政治版圖也必然重新洗牌，不過，這些議題都不必然要訴諸衝突手段才能處理。國際間許多重大爭議，都曾以協商對話的方式得到化解。戰後近70年的和平安定，讓亞太國家得以穩健發展，為各國民眾打造平靜富足的家園。這樣一個環境，值得大家攜手共同呵護，其中的成員都應該加以珍惜，不能不顧後果地逞意氣之快。

日本必須理解，自己之所以不斷在歷史恩怨上受到抨擊，就是因為不願正視曾經犯下的錯誤。沒有真心悔悟，就不會得到原諒；沒有原諒，無論是對被害人還是加害人，傷痛都不會過去。今天日本不是因為軍力不夠強才會頻頻遭到追究，所以，執意強化軍事發展，不但不會改善日本與亞洲鄰國的關係，還會喚醒對日本軍國主義的憎恨。

在另一方面，中國大陸自從改革開放以來，經濟順利成長，正順利推動著歷史上少見的穩定發展。和開發中國家相較，大陸在許多方面都還需要急起直追，在這個成長的重要階段，不應該讓中日衝突挑起的民族情緒牽著政策走，而讓前進的步伐出現頓挫。一個和平安定的環境，不只有助於亞太共榮，更是大陸國家躍進之依憑，在國內各項事務千頭萬緒之際，實在沒有必要在對日關係上過度強悍躁進。

正如習近平所說，太平洋夠大，足以容納美國與中國。其實亞洲也夠大，足以容納中國與日本，以及所有其他亞洲國家；亞太國家文化接近、交流頻繁，沒什麼不能坐下來好好說的。只要心夠大，空間就無限寬廣，不需要再有你無我或你勝我負。繁榮進步的果實，可以共同創造，更可以一起分享。

台灣與中國大陸有不可分割的文化血緣關係及共同的命運，與日本也有深厚的民間感情與接近的價值觀，我們誠摯呼籲日本，應將二戰聯軍軍事法庭判決戰犯罪的神位遷出靖國神社，藉此反省歷史錯誤，中國大陸也可展現更成熟理性的態度，共同努力化解彼此的歧見。