Chapter 31 "We must look forward positively" - Deng Xiaoping and the Emperor of Japan (4)

For the first time, a Chinese leader shakes hands with the Japanese emperor.Deng Xiaoping, who was frank and magnanimous, showing the demeanor of a great country, said to the emperor: "Let the past be the past, and we must look forward positively in the future." When Emperor Hirohito used the word "unfortunate event" when he met with the top Chinese leader for the first time, he indirectly expressed his apology to the Chinese people from the perspective of the emperor's war responsibility. October 23, 1978 was a special day in the history of Sino-Japanese relations.

On this day, Deng Xiaoping and Japanese Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda attended the exchange of letters of the "Sino-Japanese Treaty of Peace and Friendship Ratification" held at the Japanese Prime Minister's Office.And, more importantly, Deng Xiaoping, as the leader of China, shook hands with the Japanese emperor for the first time after World War II. The meeting was held at noon this day. In the main hall of the Emperor's Palace, Deng Xiaoping called on Emperor Hirohito and his wife. Before visiting the emperor, many people in Japan feared that Deng Xiaoping would hold the emperor responsible for Japan's war of aggression against China on behalf of the Chinese people.If this is the case, it will not only pose a problem for the emperor, but also directly affect the Sino-Japanese relations that have just entered normalization.

As soon as they met, Emperor Hirohito, who was wearing a suit, first extended his hand to shake hands with Deng Xiaoping and his wife Zhuo Lin, and said with a smile: "Warmly welcome, it is a pleasure to meet you." "Thank you for your invitation." Deng Xiaoping replied with a smile. After simple greetings, Emperor Hirohito and Deng Xiaoping sat facing each other, and the Empress sat side by side with Zhuo Lin on the sofa not far away. The emperor first said: "You have traveled all the way to Japan in spite of your busy schedule, especially since the Japan-China Treaty of Friendship was signed and the letters of ratification were exchanged. I am very happy."

Deng Xiaoping replied: "The Sino-Japanese Treaty of Friendship may have unexpected and far-reaching significance. Let the past be the past, and we must actively look forward to the establishment and development of peaceful and friendly relations between the two countries in all aspects. This treaty is so far The political summary of the relationship between the two countries so far is also a new starting point for the further development of the relationship between the two countries. This treaty is not only of great significance to the friendship between the children and grandchildren of our two countries, but also to the peace and stability of Asia and the Pacific region. It is also important for world peace."

Deng Xiaoping's frank, sincere and far-sighted speeches, as well as his tolerant and generous style, seemed to have touched Emperor Hirohito.After listening to Deng Xiaoping's speech, the emperor also began to talk freely about Sino-Japanese relations.Perhaps even more touching than the emperor were those in the Japanese government who had always been on tenterhooks. Deng Xiaoping's words "let the past go, and we must look forward positively" made them feel relieved, and the stone in their hearts finally fell to the ground.They were deeply impressed by Deng Xiaoping. The emperor also breathed a sigh of relief and said: "In the long history of the two countries, although unfortunate things happened once, as you said, that has become a thing of the past. The conclusion of a treaty of peace and friendship between the two countries is really a great event." Good thing. In the future, the two countries will always be peaceful and friendly."

Emperor Hirohito's speech was an "on-the-spot" speech, an impromptu speech by the emperor himself.This is unexpected.In particular, the emperor also used the apparently ambiguous term "unfortunate event" to describe the history of Japan's war of aggression against China, which is even more surprising.Because, according to the practice of the Japanese emperor meeting with foreign guests, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Imperial Household Agency usually draft a simple speech outline to prevent impoliteness from speaking wrong words when meeting for the first time.Although the Japanese Emperor visited West Germany and the United States, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Imperial Household Agency wrote speeches about the war, but this time when he received Deng Xiaoping's visit, there was nothing about the war in the speeches. Responsibility words.It can be seen that the attitude of the Japanese government towards the war of aggression against China has always been ambiguous.But no matter how the Japanese government conceals or avoids the issue of war responsibility, history is history after all, and no one can erase this objective fact.And for any Japanese with a conscience, this question cannot be avoided.As the emperor of Japan, Hirohito, how could he not mention this when he met with the first senior leader of the Chinese government who came from afar?In the face of Deng Xiaoping's frankness and tolerance, how could Hirohito's heart not be disturbed?The reason why the emperor was able to break away from the speech outline and say the above passage shows that he could not avoid the history of the deep disaster and humiliation brought by the Japanese war of aggression against China to the Chinese nation. Perhaps this is also what he said in his heart.Although very euphemistic and implicit, it is also very rare.

Japan’s Kyodo News later commented: “His Majesty’s use of the word ‘unfortunate event’ when meeting with the top Chinese leader for the first time is to indirectly express his apology to the Chinese people from the perspective of the emperor’s war responsibility.” Deng Xiaoping expressed his appreciation for Emperor Hirohito's answer.He nodded happily and said, "Exactly, I agree." The emperor asked Deng Xiaoping again with concern: "You are in good health." "I am 74 years old. I heard that His Majesty is a little older than me and is in good health. This is the most important thing." Deng Xiaoping also greeted with concern.

At this time, the queen who was sitting on the side interrupted and asked, "Isn't Beijing beautiful?" Deng Xiaoping said very sincerely: "Beijing still has various problems, and it is now stepping up reform." "Tokyo also has pollution problems." The emperor also said frankly. After that, the two talked about plants and history from urban issues, and the more they talked, the more interested they became. At the end of the meeting, the Emperor and Empress presented a signed photo and a pair of silver vases to Deng Xiaoping and his wife.Deng Xiaoping also presented a Chinese ink painting scroll with a donkey and a colorful embroidered screen to the emperor and his wife.

After the meeting, Emperor Hirohito and his wife held a sumptuous luncheon in the magnificent Fengmeidian of the Imperial Palace, entertaining Deng Xiaoping and his wife and Chinese officials.It is said that considering that Deng Xiaoping had studied in France, most of the dishes served at the banquet were the best French dishes of the Dining Department of the Imperial Palace.Moreover, in order to suit the taste of Chinese people, they specially added bird's nest to the soup.The palace also found out that Chinese people love to eat chicken, so they prepared a lot of fresh and delicious chicken.It can be seen that the emperor attached great importance to the visits of Chinese guests.

Beside the feast of colorful chrysanthemums, such as purple, red and yellow, there are two large vases filled with baby's breath, white chrysanthemums, yellow chrysanthemums and lilies.In the colorful light scattered by 32 lanterns, in the brisk and beautiful melody of the Japanese Imperial Palace Gagaku "Yuetianle" and "Wutang Leji", Deng Xiaoping, Emperor Hirohito, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Fukuda raised their glasses frequently, Bless each other. Deng Xiaoping raised his glass to the emperor and said: "China and Japan want their children and grandchildren to be friendly from generation to generation."

The emperor immediately took over the words and said: "It is the first time in history that Japan and China have established such a friendly relationship. It must continue forever." According to Japanese media reports, a palace attendant who participated in the reception work of the luncheon said that he "is the first time to see His Majesty the Emperor in such a happy mood." Prime Minister Fukuda was naturally even more delighted. Seeing the historic handshake between the Emperor and Deng Xiaoping was so successful, he was even more excited. As soon as he returned to the Prime Minister's residence from the palace, he couldn't help saying: "The atmosphere is very pleasant, Your Majesty. seems to be in a good mood.” Later, a Japanese reporter asked Fukuda: "It is said that Vice Premier Deng is one year older than you?" Prime Minister Fukuda, who is usually very taboo and against others mentioning his age, answered the reporter very relaxed and cheerful this time: "No, Vice Premier Deng is young. I am Meiji 6 years old, and Vice Premier Deng is Meiji 37 years old." Professor Takeuchi, a famous Japanese scholar, commented on the first handshake between Deng Xiaoping and Emperor Hirohito in his book "Friendship is Easy, Understanding is Difficult" published in 1980—— Deng Xiaoping's speech was very tolerant.If Deng Xiaoping's above-mentioned speech led to the unscheduled speech of the emperor's "unfortunate incident", then I don't know whether it is because of his character or his acting ability.I think human ability should not be underestimated. Some people in Japan accused the emperor's speech of being incomplete and inconsistent with historical facts.I also think that this kind of accusation is not unreasonable. However, if it is better to talk about it than not discussing it at all through prior consultations, even if you say a thousand words, does it mean that you have taken responsibility for the historical facts?Implementation may then be required in turn.However, China came to seek the signing of the "Treaty of Peace and Friendship", not to seek the abdication of the emperor and revolution in Japan. A few days later, when Deng Xiaoping met with reporters at the Japan Press Club, he also expressed his feelings about meeting the Empress in this way: "This time we have received the warm hospitality of His Majesty the Emperor and the Empress, and we are very grateful for it. The meeting with the Emperor, plus lunch, It was a long two hours. We all talked about the past. However, we noticed that the Emperor was more focused on the future than the past. The Emperor was very concerned about the signing of the treaty. We are very satisfied with that."