China’s Development No Threat to Japan – Hu

Text of report in English by Japan’s largest news agency Kyodo

Tokyo, May 8 Kyodo – China and Japan should view each other not as rivals but as partners, Chinese President Hu Jintao said Thursday, at a time when the Japanese public casts a wary eye on the fast-paced development of its giant neighbour.

In a speech at Tokyo’s Waseda University, Hu also made his most extensive remarks yet on Japan’s wartime aggression since his visit here began Tuesday, calling history “a textbook” for all to learn from.

The speech in the afternoon was the centrepiece of the day’s events aimed at reaching out to the Japanese public, which also included a visit to a ballet troupe and a reception hosted by bilateral friendship organizations.

China and Japan “should recognize each others’ development objectively and accurately, and see each other as cooperative partners, not rivals,” Hu said in the speech at a university hall, which was broadcast live in both Japan and China.

“Both sides should support the other side’s peaceful development, and see the other’s development as an opportunity, not a threat,” he said.

Outside, more than a hundred activists and students gathered to protest China’s policy on Tibet, waving Tibetan flags and shouting “Free Tibet!” A smaller group of several dozen was also at the site to support Hu’s visit, waving Chinese flags and chanting, “China- Japan Friendship” and “One China.”

China sees the recent violence in Tibet as part of a separatist movement instigated by the Dalai Lama, an allegation Tibet’s spiritual leader has repeatedly denied.

In the speech, Hu said the war of invasion by Japan “greatly damaged friendly ties” and “not only brought about enormous misfortune to the Chinese people but also greatly harmed the Japanese public.”

He added that while China does not want history to be forgotten, “that is not for continuing ill feelings” but to learn from the past.

The comments – which may have been meant both for public consumption in both Japan and China as they were broadcast live in both countries – were the most extensive yet during his trip to Japan, which is the first by a Chinese head of state in a decade.

A joint statement issued by the two countries after Hu’s talks with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda on Wednesday focused less on Japan’s wartime aggression than previous documents between the two countries.

Wartime history was also not explicitly mentioned by Hu during his speech at a dinner hosted by Emperor Akihito on Wednesday.

That was in contrast to the 1998 visit by then President Jiang Zemin, who had repeatedly mentioned the history issue during his stay, leaving both sides bitter.

In the speech, Hu also repeated that China has a defensive military policy and does not aim at hegemony.

China “will not engage in an arms race and will not become a threat to any country,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Hu met with former Japanese prime ministers for talks on topics ranging from bilateral relations to Tokyo’s bid to host the 2016 Olympics.

Yasuhiro Nakasone, one of the participants, told reporters afterward that the talks were held in a “cozy” atmosphere. Others attending the event included Shinzo Abe, Fukuda’s predecessor.

Former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, whose repeated visits to the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine triggered a deterioration in bilateral ties, was absent from the event.

Earlier in the day, Hu visited the Matsuyama Ballet troupe in Tokyo, which has performed in China in the past.

“Thank you,” he said in Japanese after the troupe performed for the president.

Hu is scheduled to visit a Chinese school in Yokohama and ancient temples in Nara, western Japan, before heading home on Saturday.

Originally published by Kyodo News Service, Tokyo, in English 0923 8 May 08.

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