China and Japan, Asia's two powerful nations, are close in terms of geography and culture. They are also complementary in economy.

As a developing country, China needs Japanese investment, technology and exports while Japan, besides the low-cost articles of everyday use made in China, needs a geographically close and potential huge market like China for investment and trade.

China could turn to American or European countries if it loses Japanese investment and technology. However, if Japan loses China's market, it would be difficult to compensate for the loss because the world's other major markets are either saturated or not yet developed.

Against a backdrop of stagnation, the most rapidly developed segment of Japan's economy is its trade with China. And Japan's most profitable enterprises are those that have invested in China.

This proves that prosperous and developing neighboring nations can bring reciprocal opportunity rather than threat.

Furthermore, changes in the international situation -- the nuclear stand-off on the Korean Peninsula, environmental concerns and combating terrorism, for example -- has expanded the common ground between China and Japan.

The lessons of history prove that amity benefits both countries, while enmity hurts both. It is not only possible, but also necessary for China and Japan to establish a reciprocal and friendly relationship. There is no reason for the two neighbors not to build a benign rapport.

But unfortunately, at a time when economic relations between China and Japan are developing rapidly, their political relationship is less than ideal -- a situation for which Japan is mainly responsible.

The key factor influencing Sino-Japanese ties is the issue of Japan's attitude towards history, or to be specific, Japan's war of aggression against China (1937- 45).

The rub of the issue is not that China endlessly demands Japan's apology, but that some Japanese politicians, attempting to rewrite history, periodically provoke and hurt the sentiments of the Chinese people. Hence, the Chinese Government and people have no choice but to demand Japan face history squarely and honestly.

Junichiro Koizumi visited the Yasukuni Shrine four times in his capacity as Japanese Prime Minister and even indicated he will continue to visit the Shrine every year.

This is unprecedented, and goes too far.

It shows Koizumi has a distorted view of Japan's war of aggression and that he does not care about the feelings of Asian neighbors.

It is well known that Japan's pacifist constitution, defense-only policy and three non-nuclear principles are the three pillars of post-war Japan, which, nevertheless, are eroding.

Since the Gulf War, in particular since Koizumi took office, there have been shocking shifts in Japan's defense policy.

The country has approved a series of bills violating the spirit of its pacifist constitution. Some even demand revising the pacifist constitution to advocate "pre-emptive strike" and abandoning the three non-nuclear principles. Some also demand a thorough revision of Japan's policy forbidding the export of arms.

Two major aspects have contributed to Japan's change in defense policy.

First, the country has never made an in-depth self- examination of its war history. Second, Japan's pacifist constitution has been unable to restrain the government from violating that constitution, which makes people doubt the country's political system can ensure Japan will never again wage wars of aggression.

Therefore, under such circumstances, neighboring nations have to be extremely concerned and alert about Japan's strides toward flexing military muscle.

On the other hand, Japanese politicians should not forget that the war of aggression waged by Japanese militarists led their country to the brink of destruction and that it is the post-war peaceful environment that has ensured Japan's rejuvenation and transformed it into the world's second most powerful economy.

History has proved that militarists are not true patriots, and the Japanese people can certainly recognize the differences between peace and war, justice and evil.

The new generation of leadership in China has solemnly promised the world this country will take a road of "peaceful rise" featuring peaceful and friendly co-existence with other nations, realizing self-perfection of domestic society through system reform and technical progress, seeking the core of common values among different civilizations with the spirit of equality and tolerance, and avoiding conflicts aroused by materials or prejudice.

Peaceful rise is the strategic choice of China, which conforms not only to the historical experience and cultural tradition of the Chinese people, but also to the fundamental interests of the people of Asia and the world at large.

China needs a peaceful environment for its peaceful rise and a China that rises peacefully will further enhance the peaceful environment in turn.

Therefore, China's rise will be neither a threat to Japan nor a threat to any other nation. On the contrary, China's rise will generate momentum for the development of its neighbors, which has already been and will continue to be proved by facts.

Improvement of Sino-Japanese relations requires concerted efforts from China and Japan. More specifically, Japan needs a new mentality to frame its relations with China and to take practical actions in accordance with that new perspective.

Lessons learned from the past can serve as a guide for the future. To upgrade Japan's international political status and maintain Sino-Japanese friendship, the Japanese politicians, rather than making all efforts in diplomacy, should make efforts in their own country to create an atmosphere of facing history squarely.

If Japan can follow the example of Germany in dealing with historical issues, what it will lose is the burden and what it will gain is the understanding, respect and trust, which are the important conditions for becoming a political power.

A country can become an economic power because of its commercial development or a military power because of the expansion of military strength. But it can never become a political power if it relies only on economic or military strength.

A political power must have a national conscience and great moral courage.

(China Daily May 13, 2004)