BEIJING: China’s foreign minister said yesterday that Japan’s acceptance of its neighbouring country’s rise and a sincere attitude toward wartime historical issues are a must for a further improvement of bilateral relations.
“The question boils down to one thing that is whether Japan will accept and welcome the renewed development and the re-emergence of China,” Wang Yi told a political forum in Beijing.
“China’s development has produced massive benefits for Japan. However from the perspective of mentality, I don’t think Japanese people are fully prepared for this,” Mr Wang said. “I believe this is the root cause of many of the issues between China and Japan right now.”
Mr Wang also said Japan’s top political leader should hold “correct” views on its past militarism. The diplomat made the remarks when asked what kind of plans he has to consolidate recent positive momentum toward a further thaw in relations between Tokyo and Beijing, which have long been strained by territorial and historical issues.
Despite increased high-level contacts, relations remain delicate since this summer marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Mr Wang suggested the international community is paying attention to what Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says this year, because of the anniversary.
He said it is worth watching whether the Japanese leader will “continue to stay in the shadow of history” or “make efforts to achieve a genuine reconciliation” with countries it invaded during the war.