Forgiveness is a commodity in commemorating history
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Global Times, August 2, 2011
August often brings a special sentiment among Chinese people toward Japan, since it marks the anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II.
How Japan's aggression on China is remembered by Japanese public figures can often trigger events between the two countries.
However, this year's war memorial activity in Fangzheng county, Heilongjiang Province grabbed attention.
The local government built a wall bearing the names of some dead members of the Japan Exploitation League, which refers to Japanese immigrants that came to Northeast China between 1905 and 1945.
The purpose of the stone wall, according to local Chinese officials, is to demonstrate China's kindness and tolerance. They expects it to become a place where people can reflect on history and pray for peace.
It is a noble wish but has been expressed in the wrong way. The history of Japan's aggression in the 20th century has shaped the public mood of China toward its eastern neighbor.
The Exploitation League, even though they were not a military unit, were part of the calamity imposed on Chinese people at the time. Some who survived this bitter chapter of history may still be living nearby. The wall may be rubbing salt into their wounds.
When commemorating this period of history in whatever way, the principle that must be remembered is that these were crimes committed by Japan against China.
The history of war is something neither Chinese nor Japanese people can avoid. When the two countries have clashed in recent years, history remained a factor, both in economic and territorial disputes.
Some people may feel history weighs too heavily on them and would like to see the bilateral relationship improve quickly. But the aforementioned principle should not be traded in for either short-term gain or for more dignified purposes.
It requires a delicate balance to remember history but to not let it obstruct the current Sino-Japanese relationship. To this end, some Chinese should avoid becoming stuck on nationalistic feelings. This perhaps means they should not overreact when a Chinese actress plays a controversial Japanese figure, and not blindly boycott Japanese products when diplomatic sniping breaks out.
A shared cultural heritage and geographic proximity have determined many mutual interests and unavoidable conflicts between China and Japan. We must remember history but not let it dominate us.
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