Japanese leaders should stop visiting the Yasukuni Shrine to
restore damaged Sino-Japanese relations, says a signed article in
the Oriental Morning Post. An excerpt follows:
The visit to China by seven Japanese groups among them former
Japanese prime minister Ryutaro Hashimoto and other eminent
figures, entrepreneurs and social activists has helped thaw frosty
Sino-Japanese relations, which are currently at a standstill.
The visit will help create an atmosphere for the resumption of
high-level exchanges between the two neighbors.
In recent years, Japanese leaders have made pilgrimages to the
Yasukuni Shrine, a symbol of Japanese militarism, plunging Japanese
ties with China to their lowest point since the normalization of
relations. Because of the shrine visits, the two nations have not
witnessed reciprocal visits by their top leaders for years.
Deteriorating relations have also made it difficult for the two
nations to solve emerging disputes, such as that over gas
exploration in the East China Sea.
In his talks with the Japanese delegation, President Hu Jintao
said Chinese leaders were willing to hold talks with their Japanese
counterparts on the improvement and development of bilateral ties
if the latter made an explicit decision to stop the Yasukuni
visits.
His expression is a positive signal and also a precondition for
the promotion of a good Sino-Japanese relationship.
To steer the relationship between the two countries out of its
current hardship, Japanese politicians should view relations with
its Asian neighbors from a long-term and responsible
perspective.
In the coming Japanese elections, whoever becomes the new leader
will have an historical mission on his shoulders to improve damaged
Sino-Japanese ties.
Since the end of World War II, the people of the two neighboring
countries have made relentless efforts to restore and rebuild
collapsed trust and friendship.
However, the hard-won friendship will be easily played with by a
certain group of politicians if no common historical perspective is
built.
(China Daily April 4, 2006)
