China sets tough conditions for Japan

China sets tough conditions for Japan

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

While both Chinese President Hu Jintao and Japanese Prime
Minister Junichiro Koizumi said they shared the same convictions
about the need to maintain strong and peaceful relations between
the two countries, Beijing set five requirements on Saturday for
improved relations between the two Asian giants.

To demonstrate the importance of his meeting with Koizumi, the
president himself spoke to the press about the results of the
talks. Originally, a Chinese senior official was to speak to the
media.

Separately, Koizumi also directly briefed the media about the
much-awaited bilateral summit, which he described as "a good
meeting".

"I have just had a meeting with Prime Minister Koizumi. We
exchanged views over relations between China and Japan.
Currently, Sino-Japanese relations face a difficult situation.
Such difficult relations are not something we wish for," said Hu
after meeting with Koizumi at the Mulia Hotel, where the former
is staying during the Asian-African Summit.

Koizumi, who is staying in a different hotel, visited the
Chinese president. Japanese officials said that based on
protocol, as a head of government Koizumi has a lower ranking to
Hu, who is a head of state.

The two are among the leaders of 89 Asian and African nations
taking part in the summit, which it is hoped will be able to
recreate the spirit of the original conference, which was hosted
by Indonesia in 1955. They will be attending the golden jubilee
commemoration of the original meeting in Bandung on Sunday.

At the start of the bilateral talks, Koizumi was seen smiling,
although Hu appeared cool.

Koizumi said the two countries should strictly refrain from
agitating sentiments and emphasized the importance of looking to
the future.

"I believe that both of us should take to heart very firmly
this awareness and strive to further promote friendly ties
between the two countries," said Koizumi.

According to Hu, China and Japan are both countries with
significant influence in Asia and also in the world. If serious
problems occurred in this relationship and such serious problems
could not be resolved timely and appropriately, it would be
detrimental for both China and Japan, and it would also affect
development in Asia.

"I recalled last November in Santiago. I had a frank
discussion with Prime Minister Koizumi over the relationship
between China and Japan. Back then, I emphasized in particular
that this year will mark the 60th anniversary of the victory of
the anti-Nazi movement and the Chinese people's resistance war
against Japanese aggression.

"We hope that in this important and sensitive year, Japan will
handle appropriately such a serious and sensitive issue so as to
ensure the healthy and stable development of Sino-Japanese
relations," said the Chinese leader.

Hu was referring to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
summit last November.

However, added Hu, some moves by the Japanese side as regards
the history of the war were clearly in breach of Japan's own
commitment. They were offensive to the Chinese people and the
people of other Asian countries, he said.

Given the current circumstances and in order to take concrete
measures to overcome the difficult situation in Sino-Japanese
relations, he said he had presented five proposals to Koizumi:

First, the two sides should strictly abide by the principle
and the spirit of the Sino-Japanese joint statement, treaty of
peace and friendship and the Sino-Japanese joint declaration.
Concrete action should be taken to develop friendly relations and
cooperation between the two countries oriented toward the 21st
century.

Second, the principle of taking history as a mirror and
looking toward the future should be adhered to: remorse for a war
of aggression should be translated into action and no moves
should be made to offend the people of China and the people of
other countries.

Third, the question of Taiwan should be correctly handled. It
was hoped that the Japanese side would demonstrate concrete
action in adherence to the one-China policy and opposition to
Taiwanese independence.

Fourth, the differences between China and Japan should be
appropriately handled on the basis of dialogue and consultation
on an equal voting.

Fifth, exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in
broader areas should be expanded. Exchanges involving the people
of the two countries should be increased.

Despite his tough demands, the President nevertheless emphasized that,
"despite many difficulties in this relationship, the policy of
the Chinese side in maintaining and developing friendly relations
and cooperation with Japan remains unchanged."