RogerRabbit
Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined: 05 Sep 2004
Posts: 748
Location: Oregon
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 Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2005 9:08 pm Post subject: Japan urged to back up words with action |
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http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Japan-urged-to-back-up-words-with-action/2005/04/24/1114281430689.html
| Quote: | Chinese President Hu Jintao has urged Japan to reflect on its World War II aggression and back up its apologies with action, after meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in a bid to ease tensions between the two Asian powers.
In a rare public statement, Hu also demanded that Tokyo not support any moves toward independence by Taiwan, saying it was crucial to good relations between Japan and China.
"At the moment Sino-Japanese relations face a difficult situation. Such a difficult situation is not one we want to see," Hu told reporters after the closed-door meeting.
If the problem cannot be solved "it would be detrimental to China and Japan and would affect stability and development in Asia," he said.
Hu said he and Koizumi had exchanged views on their relations during the talks, which lasted 55 minutes.
Koizumi only told reporters it was a "very good meeting," as he left the venue. He said earlier that he hoped to emphasise the importance of friendly ties between China and Japan.
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It was the first top-level discussion since massive anti-Japanese protests erupted earlier this month in major Chinese cities over Tokyo's approval of school textbooks that China claims play down wartime atrocities.
Hu alluded to the protests, saying they were "something the Japanese side should seriously reflect on".
The meeting came a day after Koizumi offered the most public apology in a decade over Japan's wartime aggression in Asia. Koizumi's expression of "deep remorse" broke no new ground, but the rare appeal was a clear attempt to reverse the worst erosion of ties between Tokyo and Beijing since diplomatic relations were established in 1972.
However, Hu said Tokyo should back up its words of remorse with action.
China, South Korea and other Asian nations have long accused Japan of not apologising adequately for invading and occupying its neighbours, and Chinese animosities are aggravated by their rivalry with the Japanese to be the region's dominant power.
At least 12 million Chinese citizens died in Japan's assault on their nation in the 1930s and 40s. Japan, an ally of Nazi Germany, conquered much of eastern Asia before its forces surrendered in August 1945. Atrocities include mass sex slavery, abuse of prisoners of war and germ warfare.
The dispute has threatened Japan's bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. During a visit to India earlier this month, China's premier told Japan to face up to its World War II aggression before aspiring to a bigger global role. It was the strongest hint yet that China might exercise its veto as one of the council's five permanent members to block Japan.
At the start of the summit on Friday, Koizumi expressed "deep remorse" for his country's misdeeds. It marked the first statement of remorse from a Japanese leader since 1995.
"In the past, Japan through its colonial rule and aggression caused tremendous damage and suffering for the people of many countries, particularly those of Asian nations," Koizumi said, conveying Tokyo's "heartfelt apology" for its conquests.
"Japan squarely faces these facts of history in a spirit of humility," he said.
However, Koizumi's remarks came just hours after a cabinet minister and more than 80 Japanese MPs visited a Tokyo shrine to Japan's war dead.
China said rhetoric alone would not mend the rift.
In Tokyo on Saturday, about 150 demonstrators, many of them Japanese nationalists, marched peacefully to protest anti-Japanese violence in China.
Brandishing rising sun Japanese flags, the demonstrators chanted "Chinese government: Crack down on anti-Japan violent protests!" and "Chinese government: Formally apologise to Japan!"
In Beijing, there was no sign of new anti-Japanese protests, a day after the government called on the public to end unrest that might damage economic ties. Three busloads of paramilitary troops guarded the Japanese Embassy. |
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