China, Japan take step to soothe relations

[Aepsilons]

Premier Li Keqiang meets delegates of the 21st Century Committee for ChinaJapan Friendship in Beijing on Thursday.FENG YONGBIN / CHINA DAILY



The Chinese government hopes China and Japan can overcome political barriers, take history as guidance and look into the future to promote bilateral relations, Premier Li Keqiang told a visiting Japanese delegation on Thursday.

Li said a healthy and stable relationship between China and Japan is important to the peace and prosperity of both countries, as well as the region as a whole, and China's policies toward Japan are consistent.

"We believe that China-Japan relations must be based on the fourpoint principled consensus, draw lessons from history and overcome political impediments," Li said while meeting the Chinese and Japanese delegations of the 21st Century Committee for China-Japan Friendship, a high level advisory body on Sino-Japanese relations.

"China hopes Japan can carefully handle the issues of principle that could impede the healthy development of our relations," Li said. "Only if we focus on the big picture of our relations over a long term can we carry out what we have agreed and hence improve our ties."

Li said China and Japan could carry out more activities in educational and cultural sectors and promote exchanges between local governments and the youth to provide the conditions to improve ties.

It was Li's first meeting with Japanese guests since he become premier in March 2013. The two-day meeting of the committee began on Wednesday in Beijing, after being postponed for three years.

The event was cochaired by Tang Jiaxuan, former State councilor and now president of the China-Japan Friendship Association, and Tokyo Stock Exchange President Taizo Nishimuro.

Nishimuro said the committee had held candid talks and his delegation is willing to continue the work in improving bilateral relations and promoting exchanges and mutual understanding.

Tang said the Chinese and Japanese members of the committee agreed that the fourpoint consensus on principles is the first step to making progress in soothing relations between the two countries. As to the next step, Tang said that commemorating next year's 70th anniversary of the end of World War II could be an opportunity for Japan to improve its relations with East Asian countries.

Takahara Asou, a Japanese analyst, said the consensus is a great achievement for the two countries and should be fully implemented.

Liu Jiangyong, a professor of international studies at Tsinghua University, said the meeting of the committee, which is currently the highest level advisory body on Sino-Japanese relations, was "friendly and candid". "The report being worked out at the meeting is expected to give guidance to both governments, but it is unrealistic to count on just one or two meetings to solve the long-lasting issues between the two countries," Liu said

China, Japan take step to soothe relations - China - Chinadaily.com.cn

 

[Aepsilons]

Tang said the Chinese and Japanese members of the committee agreed that the fourpoint consensus on principles is the first step to making progress in soothing relations between the two countries. As to the next step, Tang said that commemorating next year's 70th anniversary of the end of World War II could be an opportunity for Japan to improve its relations with East Asian countries.

Takahara Asou, a Japanese analyst, said the consensus is a great achievement for the two countries and should be fully implemented.

I agree with Tang as well as with Takahara. Time to look past minor issues of disagreement and control media outlets that serve only to conflagrate the relationships of both sides.

 

[Beast]

Japanese need to vote out Abe first. He is the root of all problem. He is not only a problem for China but Japan too. Look at the mess he did for Japan economy. Many top economist have long voice the impractical of his plan and it proved to be truth. He makes everything in Japan so expensive now. The worst is yet to come when 10% tax comes in 2017. And he make Japan- China r/s all time low. He bring nothing good but all bad.

Good Japanese, please vote out this terrible politician.

 

[Aepsilons]

Japanese need to vote out Abe first. He is the root of all problem. He is not only a problem for China but Japan too. Look at the mess he did for Japan economy. Many top economist have long voice the impractical of his plan and it proved to be truth. He makes everything in Japan so expensive now. The worst is yet to come when 10% tax comes in 2017. And he make Japan- China r/s all time low. He bring nothing good but all bad.

Good Japanese, please vote out this terrible politician.

I believe the Japanese Public know very well that our interests lies with greater integration with China. The Japanese Keidenren, the Federation of Japanese Business Corporation, all believe that the future is with China. So, this will eventually manifest itself in policy and procedures. Hopefully this will lead to a positive reciprocity in how the Chinese Leadership implements policy with us.

Abe and all hawkish politicians must think not only about their political careers, but for what is good for Japan, for the good of Northeast Asia. Afterall, Northeast Asia's combined economy is soon to hit $17 Trillion by next fiscal year. Northeast Asia is the center of Asia, in terms of economic activity and limitless potential.

 

[Kylin]

body language, Li Keqiang is intentionally holding back

 

[Aepsilons]

body language, Li Keqiang is intentionally holding back

As all statesmen should. Afterall, Li Keqiang is the Premier of the People's Republic of China. He is meeting Japanese businessmen, who are not his political equals. As Premier, he has to be resolute in appearance and manner.

 

[TaiShang]

Japanese need to vote out Abe first. He is the root of all problem. He is not only a problem for China but Japan too. Look at the mess he did for Japan economy. Many top economist have long voice the impractical of his plan and it proved to be truth. He makes everything in Japan so expensive now. The worst is yet to come when 10% tax comes in 2017. And he make Japan- China r/s all time low. He bring nothing good but all bad.

Good Japanese, please vote out this terrible politician.

I guess, ever since the APEC forum, the Japanese leadership has shown great interest to mend the ties that were almost broken over the past two years or so. This is a strong signal that there is a political will in Japan to bring back the status quo, at least, and then, build on the renewed trust and cooperative spirit.

China will never interfere in Japan's domestic affairs and continue to respect Japanese people's decisions (as Japan respects China's) which is a pillar of China's foreign policy and a major point of criticism it levies at the United States; hence, China is to work with the Japanese government as this is good for the country, for the region and for the world. Shutting the door to Japan is very much like the US shutting the door to EU.

Let's show the political and social will to move forward and mend the broken ties as we go on and feel the future. In this sense, I respect and commend @Nihonjin1051 's positive contribution in terms of developing a peaceful discourse here. I believe (and I know from my personal interactions) that this is the general trend in Japanese public.