Tolerance key to future for Japan-China relations

This month marks the 45th anniversary of the normalisation of relations between Japan and China. We spoke with famed intellectual Ma Licheng, a former commentator for the People’s Daily newspaper in China who continues to advocate reconciliation between Japan and China on the basis of the reality of post-war Japan, over topics such as China’s stance against Japan on historical issues.

How would you describe current Japan-China relations?
There are signs of a recovery. Talks have taken place between [Chinese] President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and also between Xi and the Liberal Democratic Party’s Secretary General Toshihiro Nikai, and they have expressed a desire to improve relations to coincide with the 45th anniversary of the normalisation of diplomatic ties. Things are on a positive course.

Even now, Japan and China cannot overcome their historical issues.
Over a period of 45 years, Japan has expressed regret and apology at least 25 times. Former premier Wen Jiabao praised Japan’s historical perceptions in his speech in the Diet when he visited Japan [in 2007]. 
As a Chinese citizen, I am appealing for China to show tolerance, in the same way the United States shows tolerance in Japan-US relations. 
Without tolerance, there is no future. China must not get caught up in resentment stemming from history.

But Japan and China remain stuck in the positions of “assailant” and “victim”. China, the “victim”, continues to provoke Japan, inviting an angry response.
China was deeply wounded. It is a matter of course for China to require Japan to take responsibility for the war and reflect on it. On the other hand, exclusive nationalists in China are using the Internet to amplify resentment. Over a three-year period, there were as many as 400 dramas broadcast on the theme of the war against Japan, but most of them were meaningless, with some even being nonsensical. 
Sad to say, they were publicising resentment. Some people are also making a fuss, claiming a revival of militarism in Japan. But in reality, the concept of peace is deeply rooted in Japanese people’s hearts. If such people are writing their claims intentionally, it should be called agitation.

Precisely.
I would also like to touch on the many Chinese tourists who come to Japan, whose number may reach as high as 7 million this year. Those who know Japan’s high-quality products, meticulous service, clean environment, high level of courtesy and other virtues will grow to love Japan. Then they will visit two or three times a year, or even on every holiday. 
It’s a good thing. Their perception of today’s Japan has become very positive.

However, in Japan, assertions that “China will collapse” are circulating widely.
That’s a sign of Japanese nationalism. It is a reflection of extreme, one-sided and biased perspectives. Advocates of such opinions say China is bad in everything. If nationalists from both countries continue to provoke each other, it could end up creating a vicious cycle. Japan also needs to overcome its nationalism.

On the strategic side of Japan and China, friction has also increased.
A problem of vying for Asia’s leadership has surfaced. After the Meiji Restoration came a period of Japan being strong and China weak. But over the last 10 years, China has gained power. It is understandable that Japan doesn’t like the situation, but it should accept reality. 
China must not be arrogant, and must not hope for revenge [as a result of resentment stemming from history]. It must not commit the mistake of falling into hegemonism. 
The Japan of the past should serve as a lesson for China. The idea to solve problems is the “win-win” approach.

Due to such issues as those concerning the East and South China seas, many Japanese are concerned about a unilateral change by the Xi administration in the international order.
The liberalism-based order advocated by the United States has been accepted by many countries, and the market economy has become the world’s mainstream. China entered the economic order and achieved huge success. China is the beneficiary of the current order. 
Leaders have stated many times that they have no plan to change that. However, there is a problem of the United States occasionally employing hegemonic methods. What China is doing is to supplement this shortcoming and further reinforce the [global] order.

On the 45th anniversary of the normalisation of Japan-China relations, you wrote a new paper about Japan. Isn’t there a danger of you becoming a target of hostile reactions, such as from the public opinion?
The reason that I continue to speak about tolerance and overcoming history is that this issue is not being resolved in China. It is true that there are people who heavily denounce me online. But that is caused by misunderstandings. I have clearly been against the invasion by Japan. I feel no danger.