Chinese President Jiang Zemin said in Beijing Sunday that the most
important experience since the normalization of China-Japan
relations 30 years ago is to draw on historical lessons and look
forward to the future.
Jiang told Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi, who began an
official visit to China Sunday, that, although there have been ups
and downs since the normalization of Sino-Japanese ties 30 years
ago, the relations have generally seen great progress and brought
significant benefits to both sides.
China and Japan have had exchanges for more than 2,000 years. There
were times when the two countries learned from each other and lived
harmoniously, but there were also times when Japanese militarists
brutally invaded China, Jiang said.
"Past experience, if not forgotten, is a guide for the future,"
Jiang said. "Learning lessons from history would benefit both our
peoples; not doing so, on the other hand, would be harmful."
Based on that principle, Jiang said, China and Japan realized the
normalization of relations 30 years ago. The two sides should
persist in applying that principle. Only by insisting on that
principle, can the two sides fully grasp the entirety of
China-Japan friendly relations and ensure a healthy and stable
development of Sino-Japanese relations in the new century.
Jiang said the friendship between the two countries' peoples is a
treasure for Sino-Japanese relations. At present, the two sides
should promote that kind of friendship through more exchanges and
contacts among the younger generations of the two countries.
Jiang said the younger generations of the two countries should be
given opportunities to understand the history and reality of
Sino-Japanese relations so as to increase mutual understanding and
friendly feelings. That is a fundamental guarantee for the
development of Sino-Japanese relations in the new century.
In
late September this year, more than 10,000 Japanese people from
different walks of life will visit China. Jiang said that visit
will be an important event to enhance friendship between people of
the two countries, adding that China will host the guests
warmly.
Kawaguchi said she agreed with Jiang's idea of "drawing on
historical lessons and looking forward to the future." She said the
idea should serve as the basis for future Sino-Japanese relations.
She said she would do her part in the development of Japan-China
relations.
Currently, Japan and China have initiated dialogue and exchange
among economic and cultural circles and among young people in
celebration of the 30th anniversary of the normalization of
relations. Kawaguchi said Japan expects those activities will help
increase understanding between the two peoples and enhance the
development of the overall relationship between the two
countries.
(Xinhua News
Agency September 9, 2002)