Editorials

Sino-Japanese ties

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-08-16 08:01
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An opinion poll conducted simultane-ously in China and Japan has had encouraging results: The majority of the respondents from both countries view bilateral ties as very important and see a brighter future for them. More Chinese and Japanese are also harboring positive views towards the other.

These findings will have favorable implications for the smooth sailing of bilateral relations. Given its authoritativeness, the poll, jointly sponsored by China Daily and Genron NPO, a Japanese non-political organization, offers a mirror to reflect the changing trajectory of public opinion in both countries in regard to the China-Japan relationship in recent years.

For China's part, although the issue of history remains, the poll indicates more Chinese now choose to look to the future of bilateral ties. It sends a clear message to Japan: As long as it keeps Rightist sentiments at bay, there will be a much greater space for relations between the two to grow.

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Due to the residual historical issues and the ascendancy of the Japanese Right in recent years, bilateral ties have turned cold whenever some in the Japanese government chose to openly side with the Rightists or support moves against the spirit of pacifism.

As two close neighbors separated only by a narrow strip of water, China and Japan have a long history of friendship. The interdependence of our two economies, the homology of our two cultures and the expanding exchanges between the two peoples have all laid a solid foundation for bilateral ties to develop healthily and steadily.

Given the complicated and changing situation in the world today, closer co-operation between the two will enable the two countries to exert greater influence in the Asia Pacific region and the world at large.

In a sense, the joint opinion poll has found a roadmap for our two countries: The time is ripe for the two governments to follow the wishes of the two peoples and bring the good-neighborly friendship to a higher level.

(China Daily 08/16/2010 page8)