China, Japan seek to ‘melt ice’

TOKYO – Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao called for improved ties with Japan in a speech to the Japanese parliament yesterday, but urged Tokyo not to forget its past military aggressions in Asia.

Wen arrived in Japan on Wednesday on what he called an ‘ice-melting’ trip as the two countries struggle to reverse the deterioration of ties in recent years, part of it caused by disagreements about the past. “I came here this time to observe the state of Japan’s latest advancement and to make efforts and contribute to the improvement and development of the China-Japan relationship,” Wen told parliament.The two countries have been at odds in recent years over Japan’s invasions and occupation of China in the 1930s and 40s.China has accused Japan of not fully atoning for its aggression, while some Japanese feel accounts of their wrongdoings have been exaggerated.Wen – the first Chinese leader to address Japan’s parliament in 22 years – said the past would have to be confronted in order for ties to improve, though he expressed satisfaction that Japanese leaders had shown regret for the wartime past.”Japan’s invasions caused tremendous damage to the Chinese,” Wen said.”The deep scars left in the hearts of the Chinese people cannot be described.”At the same time, Wen acknowledged that Japan’s invasions were driven by a small group of leaders and that the Japanese people were also victims of the period.”To reflect on history is not to dwell on hard feelings but to remember and learn from the past in order to open a better future,” he continued, adding that he hoped Japan’s apologies would be “turned into actions.”Wen’s three-day stay in Japan was meant to build on the fragile detente established when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe travelled to Beijing in October.Japan-China ties had plunged under Abe’s predecessor, Junichiro Koizumi.Japanese officials said they were satisfied with the visit.”Premier Wen Jiabao’s speech was very positive, and I thought it was very good that forward looking remarks were made on broad-ranging issues,” chief cabinet secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki said.On Wednesday, Wen and Abe declared firm intentions to move forward on rebuilding relations, signed agreements on energy and the environment and issued a joint statement that laid out a series of issues for the countries to co-operate on.Nampa-AP”I came here this time to observe the state of Japan’s latest advancement and to make efforts and contribute to the improvement and development of the China-Japan relationship,” Wen told parliament.The two countries have been at odds in recent years over Japan’s invasions and occupation of China in the 1930s and 40s.China has accused Japan of not fully atoning for its aggression, while some Japanese feel accounts of their wrongdoings have been exaggerated.Wen – the first Chinese leader to address Japan’s parliament in 22 years – said the past would have to be confronted in order for ties to improve, though he expressed satisfaction that Japanese leaders had shown regret for the wartime past.”Japan’s invasions caused tremendous damage to the Chinese,” Wen said.”The deep scars left in the hearts of the Chinese people cannot be described.”At the same time, Wen acknowledged that Japan’s invasions were driven by a small group of leaders and that the Japanese people were also victims of the period.”To reflect on history is not to dwell on hard feelings but to remember and learn from the past in order to open a better future,” he continued, adding that he hoped Japan’s apologies would be “turned into actions.”Wen’s three-day stay in Japan was meant to build on the fragile detente established when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe travelled to Beijing in October.Japan-China ties had plunged under Abe’s predecessor, Junichiro Koizumi.Japanese officials said they were satisfied with the visit.”Premier Wen Jiabao’s speech was very positive, and I thought it was very good that forward looking remarks were made on broad-ranging issues,” chief cabinet secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki said.On Wednesday, Wen and Abe declared firm intentions to move forward on rebuilding relations, signed agreements on energy and the environment and issued a joint statement that laid out a series of issues for the countries to co-operate on.Nampa-AP