Posted on 06/08/2006 11:31:09 AM PDT by G. Stolyarov II
Japan and China have bad blood between them. It is Japan's fault. It is war's fault. Japan does not appear to apologize enough and the Chinese aren't forgiving enough, either.
Of course, there are visits to shrines and text-book revision attempts to consider as well. There is also the need to understand the differences in cultures. They look alike, but they are NOT alike.
Nevertheless, the Chinese approach to business is quite pragmatic. They (the Chinese) are quite capable of setting aside differences for the sake of expediency. Some, perhaps many, would question that.
Japan has decided it would grant some 74 billion yen in low-interest loans ($659 million) to China. And China, of course, has graciously agreed to accept those loans.
There's an American adage: never do business with friends and family.
China and Japan are neither friends nor family. Perhaps, THAT is why they can do business together.
What do you think?
China is run by a despotic dictatorship that killed more Chinese people than Japan ever did in WWII.
There, that's better. (spent two years in Japan in the '80s)
Semper Fidelis.
Some of the older residents of Nanking may disagree.
Disagree with what?
Older Nanjing residents will disagree with your trying to pull a moral equivalency between what the Japanese Imperial troops did with what the Chinese Communists did. There is no moral equivalency. That you attempt to pull it off reveals a serious lack of intellectual honesty on your part.
The bulk of the 20 million or so deaths during the two decades of Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution died from mismanaged and dysfunctional economic and social policies. The Communists are of course to blame, but it is a far stretch to equate those 20 million with the 20 million Chinese civilian deaths during WWII. You are equating stupidity and idealogical fervor with WIDESPREAD mass rape, torture, beheadings, bayonet impalements, live burials and the scorching of land.
We can criticize the Chinese Communists without elevating others' despicable actions.
Yes. Communists were worse.
Japan has paid for their actions and apologized. Mao himself stated the matter is closed.
Today the still despotic regime in Beijing uses this as victim status to shut down any debate and try to enforce their will on Japan or other nations.
It is typical of liberal left appeals to victimhood.
This is no apologia or downplaying of the Japanese barbarism of the past.
Your comments on the other hand are apologia for the Chinese communist regime.
Like Africa, the OLD ways,tribes,wins and losses, are not easily forgotten over there....We, one the other hand, have a mere 220+ years to recall....(WE- excludes native indians)
Japan has not formally apologized in writing to China, FYI. All apologies thus far have been verbal or was given on a personal level (i.e., not from an active Head of State). This suggests insincerity and is the main reason why China and South Korea raise hell with the issue. Japan is our ally today, true, but that doesn't excuse their actions for WWII anymore so than Germany's relative benevolence today excuses its Nazi history; your comments suggest it has.
Exactly. Mao himself acknowledged this. The Japanese invasion saved the communists.
#7 says it much better than I ever could.
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