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Congratulations to Hu for Seeking Sino-Japanese Detente
Tatsuaki Tomiyama, ICAR MS Student, and Fei Fan
Posted: 05/15/08

[Published, Financial Times, May 15, 2008] Sir, As citizens of Japan and China, we were quite surprised that your article “Hu makes friends with old foe” (May 9) missed the fact that the improvement of Sino-Japanese relations at the official level is the result of decades-long efforts at the popular level.

As your article understandably says, the Japanese must learn about and make clear apologies for their past wrongdoings, and China's extreme nationalists must recognise that calls for revenge will prove neither constructive nor realistic.

But we point to the remarkable accomplishments that have taken place between the two nations despite their historical and ideological divide. Throughout the history of modern Sino-Japanese diplomacy, it was always the trade, cultural, and youth exchanges that broke through the political stalemates.

Accusations about Tibet and other issues were expected before Mr Hu's visit. Yet between China and Japan, the relationship itself often matters more than individual issues. It is in this context that we are enhancing our ties. For this reason, we commend the Chinese president for his significant initiative.

Fei Fan and Tatsuaki Tomiyama,
George Mason University,
Arlington, VA 22201, US

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ICAR News Network Congratulations to Hu for Seeking Sino-Japanese Detente Tatsuaki Tomiyama, ICAR MS Student, and Fei Fan Posted: 05/15/08 [Published, Financial Times, May 15, 2008] Sir, As citizens of Japan and China, we were quite surprised that your article “Hu makes friends with old foe” (May 9) missed the fact that the improvement of Sino-Japanese relations at the official level is the result of decades-long efforts at the popular level. As your article understandably says, the Japanese must learn about and make clear apologies for their past wrongdoings, and China's extreme nationalists must recognise that calls for revenge will prove neither constructive nor realistic. But we point to the remarkable accomplishments that have taken place between the two nations despite their historical and ideological divide. Throughout the history of modern Sino-Japanese diplomacy, it was always the trade, cultural, and youth exchanges that broke through the political stalemates. Accusations about Tibet and other issues were expected before Mr Hu's visit. Yet between China and Japan, the relationship itself often matters more than individual issues. It is in this context that we are enhancing our ties. For this reason, we commend the Chinese president for his significant initiative. Fei Fan and Tatsuaki Tomiyama, George Mason University, Arlington, VA 22201, US Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2008 ### News Network Homepage / Armenia / 2008 Elections / Afghanistan / Diplomacy/ Egypt / Environment / Global Peace Index / Health / Immigration / Iraq / Iran / Islam / Kosovo / Nuclear Proliferation / Pakistan / Palestine-Israel / Russia / Somalia / South America / Turkey /		About ICAR Student Information Prospective Students Faculty and Staff Alumni Career Services Academic Programs Library ICAR In The News Events Technology Resources ICAR Publications Point Of View Center Center for World Religions, Diplomacy & Conflict Resolution