Ambassador: bilateral ties improve and progress
- By Chen Jing
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Cheng Yonghua, Chinese Ambassador to Japan |
During the annual "two sessions" held in Beijing in early March, Chinese Ambassador to Japan, Cheng Yonghua, who attended the meeting as a CPPCC member, gave an exclusive interview to China Today. He shared his views on the Sino-Japanese relationships, China's method of handling disputes and people-to-people exchanges, and expressed his hopes for the healthy and steady development of the relationship.
Willingness to Improve Relations
The year 2017 marks the 45th anniversary of the normalized relationship between China and Japan. It's a key time for the improvement of diplomatic relations, Ambassador Cheng said, as the two countries could carry out a series of commemorative activities as a way of promoting the relationship.
"President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed to improve bilateral relations during their meeting at the Hangzhou G20 Summit last September," Cheng said. At that time, President Xi stressed that the Sino-Japanese relationship will roll back unless it is augmented, so efforts should be made to constantly advance the relationship. The 45th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations presents an ideal opportunity.
The ambassador said President Xi had noted that "China and Japan are neighbors who cannot move," so both sides should boost positive elements while reducing negative ones. Prime Minister Abe agreed with Xi's remarks during their meeting.
"Improving the bilateral relationship is the common desire of both governments," Ambassador Cheng commented. "So both countries – government and society – should move in this direction."
On the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the normalization of Sino-Japanese relations, the ambassador stressed that both countries should reflect on the significance of the decision, made 45 years ago. It had not been an easy one, he added, but the two sides eventually reached a consensus on principles and rules to govern future relations.
Since 1972, when the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement was issued, the two countries have signed four political documents. Regarding recent divisive issues, both sides reached a further four-point consensus in 2014. All the documents underline the basic rules for developing bilateral relations, which in themselves became a positive element in the relationship.
"Should any problems appear, we have the rules to follow and we can discuss them," said Ambassador Cheng. "But we should prevent any Japanese politicians, in the course of pursuing their own personal interest, from making trouble or scaling up the confrontation – all this undermines the rules."
After reviewing Sino-Japanese relations in recent years, Ambassador Cheng concluded, "Bilateral relations stalled or have been very complex over the last few years, with problems emerging from time to time." He is concerned, in particular, about the cooling down of people-to-people exchanges and impaired impressions between the two peoples about each other. "We should spare no effort in promoting face-to-face communication between our peoples, as well as between all areas of society," Cheng said. "Mutual understanding will lay foundations for improved diplomacy."
Say No to Troublemakers
The territorial issue remains the most sensitive and concerning aspect of current Sino-Japanese relations. Cheng explained that issues involving the East China Sea, including the dispute over the Diaoyu Islands, were discussed when drafting the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement. Both sides reached a tacit understanding, suggesting a method of dealing with the problem. The issue was further discussed during the negotiations that led to the signing of the China-Japan Peace and Friendship Treaty in 1978.
However, the ambassador stressed, some Japanese politicians intentionally hyped the territory issues, or created problems around them. "We hold a resolute stance over the issue of territory if someone causes problems," Ambassador Cheng continued. "We will safeguard our sovereignity. The Diaoyu Islands have been part of China's territory since ancient times, and our claim is well-founded."
Cheng briefly explained how the problem started: Japan "stole" the Diaoyu Islands after it defeated China in the Sino-Japan War (1894-1895). China, however, has never recognized Japan's "management and control" of the islands. To resolve the dispute, both countries reached a four-point agreement in 2014, with the third point explicitly addressing and formulating new rules on the issue of sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands and the East China Sea.
Ambassador Cheng quoted China's former leader Deng Xiaoping: "Put disputes aside if they cannot be solved now." The ambassador went on to say that China needs to strengthen its management and control over these issues, and thwart intentional hype and the "China threat" rhetoric.
Enhance Face-to-Face Exchanges
The Chinese government has made great efforts to enhance civil exchanges, in spite of disputes over historical and territorial issues. Ambassador Cheng pointed out that Chinese people made 6.37 million visits to Japan in 2016, and the travel flow has surged for several years in a row. The figure in January 2017 had increased 30 percent, year on year.
To enhance civil exchanges, Ambassador Cheng and other high-level diplomats often give public lectures, speaking to hundreds of college students and answering their questions. "Face-to-face exchanges can help Japanese people understand China," said the ambassador. The embassy also facilitates exchanges amongst local government officials. Twinned cities have moved from being merely a symbolic bond towards bringing mutual benefit in the form of cooperation in key areas.
Ambassador Cheng also expressed his wish to step up youth exchanges. In recent years the Chinese embassy in Japan has encouraged young Japanese, especially college students, to visit China, just as the Japanese government annually invites young Chinese to visit the country. These personal visits will introduce Japanese youngsters to our natural scenery, historical sites, and social development in China. "I think people-to-people, face-to-face exchanges are of great benefit to bilateral relations," said Ambassador Cheng.
Control Disputes for Steady Development
Since the normalization of bilateral relations in 1972, 11 Chinese ambassadors have served in the embassy. Ambassador Cheng Yonghua is the longest-serving ambassador. He stated that Sino-Japanese relations faced their most difficult challenge several years ago, but the four-point agreement reached in 2014 has propelled the relationship towards improvement. However, the ambassador said candidly, many complicated and sensitive issues remain. "I am looking forward to both sides properly handling disputes and conflicts, in order to promote the steady development of the bilateral relationship."
The year 2017 marks the 45th anniversary of the normalization of relations between China and Japan. It is an opportunity to promote exchanges in all areas and improve the relationship.
In the economic sector, Ambassador Cheng pointed out, China and Japan can instil mutually beneficial cooperation as China's industry works towards Japanese levels of acheivement. Japan's experience will be helpful in solving certain problems China is facing, while China's economic development will bring opportunities to Japan.
In addition, the two countries share common cultural ground. For example, Cheng said, Japanese people still use Chinese characters, and show a deep sense of identification with Chinese traditional culture. Scaling up cultural and people-to-people exchanges will expand common ground for mutual understanding, which, Ambassador Cheng noted, is the basis for improving bilateral relations.
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