An unrepentant neighbour can never be a friend

Masahiko Takekoshi of the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper wrote that “Beijing desperately wants Japanese investment and technologies”. How can a country with a huge surplus of reserves and technologies want (the correct word is “need”) help from a bankrupt country (debt at 200 per cent of GDP) with poorer technology? China has better computers – including the world’s fastest – and aerospace technology and comparable high-speed train expertise. Two old Chinese proverbs come to mind: “A thousand in gold buys a house; ten thousand in gold buys a good neighbour”, and “History cannot be forgotten; it will be our teacher.”

History has taught Chinese how cruel and unrepentant the Japanese are, especially their politicians. Such people can never be good friends.

Prasan Stianrapapongs