Leaders of Japan and China meet in an effort to end the on-going dispute

[Zero Cool]

Interesting developments.

The Associated Press

JAKARTA, Indonesia Apr 23, 2005 — The leaders of Japan and China met Saturday in an effort to end a dispute over Japan's World War II aggression that has badly damaged relations between the two Asian powers and alarmed their neighbors.

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Chinese President Hu Jintao smiled and shook hands before sitting down to begin the talks, which were closed to the media.

The meeting lasted 55 minutes. Koizumi told reporters it was a "very good meeting," as he left the venue.

The meeting is the first top-level discussion since massive anti-Japanese protests erupted earlier this month in major Chinese cities over Tokyo's approval of school textbooks that China claims play down wartime atrocities.

It comes a day after Koizumi offered the most public apology in a decade for Japan's wartime aggression in Asia. Koizumi's expression of "deep remorse" broke no new ground, but the rare appeal was a clear attempt to reverse the worst erosion of ties between Tokyo and Beijing since diplomatic relations were established in 1972.

Saturday's meeting took place on the sidelines of a summit for Asian and African leaders in Jakarta.

Koizumi told reporters during a brief visit to the tsunami-hit province of Aceh that he hoped to stress the importance of amiable Japan-China relations during his meeting with Hu.

"There is a saying: 'To turn misfortune into a blessing.' All countries have confrontations, but in the long-term it is in both countries' interests to overcome confrontation and to expand friendly relations," he said.

"At the meeting, I would like us to share the recognition that friendly Japan-China relations are important."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said Beijing believed that good ties with Japan were vital.

"We attach emphasis on developing neighboring, friendly and cooperative relations with Japan," he said. "We hope leaders of the two countries can … eliminate the negative impacts created by Japan's erroneous actions so that Sino-Japanese relations can move forward smoothly on a healthy foundation."

 

[The.Menace]

Thanks God some good things happen in politics as well.

 

[groobz]

So we wait until next year when China starts complaining about world war two again, and wants another apology or errr money, which Japan has givin billions.

 

[Trump Tite]

Who cares....

 

[Glockmatic]

looks like its still going on. But the thing is Japan is the one that is wrong in this, if Germany said that the genocide was an "incident" a lot of people would be pissed as well.

 

[CalcuoCuchicheo]

^
I agree that the Japanese are in the wrong.

I do believe that the Japanese - particularly Koizumi - would like to have better relations with China & I think there wouldn't be a problem aplogizing but for the stigma that comes with it. Asian countries seem to have a rich history of pride-over-realism & this could be the stumbling block here. IMO, Japan still looks at herself as superior to China, which she is in many ways, but is still a dangerous attitude.

Although, if Japan were to apologize, then I think the stumbling block could again be the pride issue. China obviously hold some resentment towards Japan & following that textbook insult may personally refuse the apology, albeit publicly accepting it should it be offered.

Either way, I can't see this being resolved anytime soon.

 

[Farzin]

Japan isnt the only country that alters history or whatever china did the same.

China just doesnt want them in the UN security council.

 

[Baukem]

germans still havent paid back all what they have stolen yet either.... and i aint talking about all the lives because thats unreplaceable- but the belongings of the survivors and family or to the family of survivors
actions speak louder than words

 

[Glockmatic]

Japan isnt the only country that alters history or whatever china did the same.

China just doesnt want them in the UN security council.

but Korea and many other asian countries protest Japans approving the book, its not just a China thing.

 

[groobz]

Koizumi apologized. So we will have to wait another couple of years or so untill the chinese nationals start to get roudy again. lol @ this communist country sooking about editing text books, these guys probably execute more people in the year, then we put in jails.

 

[Zero Cool]

germans still havent paid back all what they have stolen yet either.... and i aint talking about all the lives because thats unreplaceable- but the belongings of the survivors and family or to the family of survivors
actions speak louder than words

The Germans have paid back more than their fair share.

 

[Baukem]

The Germans have paid back more than their fair share.

right................... thats why lots of those camps-surviving are still waiting for their money

sure the germans might have paid something, but to governments who just kept it to themselves

 

[Zero Cool]

right................... thats why lots of those camps-surviving are still waiting for their money

sure the germans might have paid something, but to governments who just kept it to themselves

The German government has given million after million in order to appease those who were brutalized at the hands of the Nazi's. It's patently fallacious to insinuate that some governments are keeping this money for themselves. What do you base such claims on?

 

[The.Menace]

The Germans have paid back more than their fair share.

I agree, there always will be claims cause people try to loot whatever they can, but the germans really tried and try to somehow make up for what happend.

Asian countries seem to have a rich history of pride-over-realism

lol, what about the US?

 

[groobz]

The Japanese have paid just as much if not more than the Germans in War reporations. But it doesn't matter, there will always be people complaining and looking for more apologies and money.

 

[CalcuoCuchicheo]

lol, what about the US?

It's true that what I said can be applied to almost every country in the world at times but, rather than being condescending, I was actually referring to the values a lot of Asian countries appear to still hold in high regard - values which countries like America are without.

 

[groobz]

What kind of values?

 

[CalcuoCuchicheo]

Like sincerity for example.

 

[one mc on dj]

Who cares....

that's my line bitch...

newayz....

who cares....

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

The German government has given million after million in order to appease those who were brutalized at the hands of the Nazi's. It's patently fallacious to insinuate that some governments are keeping this money for themselves. What do you base such claims on?

Millions? I am sure its billions.