Smooth path between rivals
(From The Japan Times May 9 issue)

より円滑な日中関係促進に向けて

prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and Chinese President Hu Jintao, in their meeting in Tokyo early May, reconfirmed the importance in the Japan-China relationship, and showed their determination to put it on a smooth path through dialogue and cooperation by "looking toward the future." Mr. Hu's visit to Japan, the first by a top Chinese leader since former President Jiang Zemin's visit in November 1998, and his meeting with Mr. Fukuda can be characterized as representing a "starting point of new history," as Mr. Hu said. But it must not be forgotten that the leaders made the achievement by tiptoeing through potentially volatile issues, such as Tibet and the food poisoning in Japan caused by Chinese-made frozen "gyoza" dumplings.

In their joint statement, the two leaders agreed that the Japan-China relationship is one of the most important bilateral relationships for both countries. They also agreed to "comprehensively push mutually beneficial strategic relations." The statement is the fourth landmark paper issued by the two countries since they established diplomatic ties in 1972.

Notably, the joint statement said Japan and China have a great influence on, and have the solemn responsibility of fostering, the peace, stability and development of the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

China "highly valued" Japan for having steadily trodden a path of a "peaceful country" in the postwar years, and its contribution to the peace and stability of the world through peaceful means. This is the first time that China has expressed such an evaluation in a document jointly issued by the two countries. In this sense, the insertion of the assessment of postwar Japan is significant.

China showed a certain degree of understanding of Japan's attempt to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council by saying that China takes a serious view of Japan's position and role in the U.N.

China also refrained from touching on Japan's responsibility for its war and aggression in the 1930s and '40s. The joint statement only said the two countries will squarely look at history while facing the future, and deepen mutual understanding and build mutual trust in times ahead.

But as the bilateral relationship warms, both countries should pay close attention to the following point included in the joint statement: that both countries will closely cooperate in order to further understand, and pursue the basic and universal values shared by the international community. This means that both countries must behave as responsible members of the international community.

Mr. Fukuda welcomed China's contact with envoys of the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and called on Mr. Hu to improve the situation of Tibetans through continued dialogue that ameliorates worldwide worries over the Tibet issue. But Mr. Hu reiterated China's position that the Dalai Lama should stop "the separatist movement, the instigation of violence and the move to destroy the Beijing Olympics," and create a conditions conducive to talks for a "next step."

It seems that Mr. Fukuda at least gave a helping hand to China over the Tibet issue. He expressed strong hope for the "great success" of the Beijing games and promised to consider attending the opening ceremony of the Games in a "forward-looking manner" — the strongest support for the games yet from a leader of a developed industrialized country.

Concerning talks on natural gas exploration rights in the East China Sea, a thorny bilateral issue, Mr. Fukuda and Mr. Hu reported that there had been great progress and that there was a prospect of solving the issue. But they failed to announce a specific, final agreement that will actually resolve the issue.

As for the issue of poisonous Chinese-made dumplings, which sickened 10 people, the two leaders agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in pushing the investigation. Although Mr. Fukuda pointed out that the poisoning could have resulted in death and that the case should not be set aside, the leaders failed to show a concrete path that would elucidate and lead to a solution in the case. It is hoped that China will do its best to unravel the case.

Despite difficulties, it is hoped that a mechanism of regular mutual visits by leaders and the strengthening of high-level mutual visits by defense officials, as agreed to in the meeting, will help not only minimize frictions but also turn the bilateral relationship into a mature one.

福田康夫首相と胡錦濤国家主席は5月7日の会談で、日中関係の重要性を再確認し、「未来に向かう」対話と協力によって両国間の関係改善に努める姿勢を見せた。しかしそれは、チベット問題や中国製冷凍ギョーザ中毒事件などの敏感な問題を用心深く避けて至ったものだ。

声明で両首脳は、日中関係が最も重要な2国間関係の一つであり、「戦略的互恵関係を包括的に推進」するとの認識で一致した。両国が、アジア太平洋地域と世界の平和と発展に厳粛な責任を負っていることを確認したことも特筆すべきだ。

中国側は日中間の公式共同文書として初めて戦後の日本の「平和国家としての歩み」に対する評価を盛り込んだ。日本の戦争や侵略の責任には触れず、両国が「歴史を直視し、未来に向かい」、相互理解を深め相互信頼を築く決意を示した。

声明にある「国際社会が共に認める基本的かつ普遍的価値の一層の理解と追求のために緊密に協力する」という提言にも注目すべきだ。福田首相は中国側とダライ･ラマ十四世と接触を歓迎し、対話継続を求めたが、胡主席はダライ･ラマ側の「祖国分裂活動、暴力の先導、北京五輪破壊」の停止が次の話し合いの条件とした。福田首相は、北京五輪成功への期待を表明、開幕式出席を前向きに検討すると約束するなど、中国に助け舟を出した。

東シナ海のガス田問題は解決のめどが立ったとされたが、最終決着にいたらず、冷凍ギョーザ中毒事件についても、両国捜査当局の協力強化が確認されたのみだ。

難しい問題は山積しているが、共同声明に盛り込まれた両国首脳や防衛当局者の定期的な相互訪問のメカニズム構築により、日中間の摩擦が抑えられ、成熟した関係に発展することを願う。