Chapter 33 "We must look forward positively" - Deng Xiaoping and the Emperor of Japan (6)

Deng Xiaoping is the fourth person in Chinese history after Qin Shihuang, Confucius and Mao Zedong.The Japanese media even referred to the "China craze" sparked by Deng Xiaoping's visit to Japan as "Deng Xiaoping's whirlwind". Deng Xiaoping played the role of a super Chinese salesman during his visit to Japan. Professor Minoru Takeuchi, a well-known Japanese scholar known as the "authority on Mao Zedong studies", began to study Deng Xiaoping after the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in 1978.He paid close attention to Deng Xiaoping's policy of reform and opening up, and made in-depth and detailed investigations and researches on Deng Xiaoping's theory and practice.As early as November 1992, he wrote an article in Japan's "Diplomatic Forum" magazine from the perspective of big history, and put forward a unique point of view that caused shock in China and even the international academic circles——Deng Xiaoping was the first emperor after Qin Shihuang, Confucius, and Mao Zedong. No. 4 person in Chinese history.

Professor Takeuchi analyzed in his article: The first person in Chinese history should be Qin Shihuang, because he unified the world and established the first unified country in Chinese history—"Qin State".And the second person should be Confucius, because Confucius made China have the "face" of the world of "Chinese civilization". His thoughts still affect the Chinese nation today and will be passed down forever.And in the 20th century, "Mao Zedong came out of China", which once again put an end to the situation of warlord melee, fragmentation, and slaughter in modern China, and became a centralized leader with both political and ideological authority. There will be no history of the Chinese revolution, and the third person must be him.And the fourth person in Chinese history is Deng Xiaoping.

Takeuchi said: "After Deng Xiaoping came back for the third time, the problems he faced piled up like a mountain. The various political systems established during the Mao Zedong era, as well as the unwritten rules and ways of thinking, clearly and firmly existed. To break through these frames, It takes a lot of courage and hard work. People hate these things, but inertia and cowardice are spreading, and the beneficiaries and classes from these boxes don't want changes. Deng Xiaoping brought back those who lost their status in the 'cultural revolution' It has brought a new wind to the ossified Chinese society. To be fair, I don't think Deng Xiaoping's political performance after Mao Zedong's death can be ignored. It is naturally Deng Xiaoping who actively promoted China's reform and opening up policy. Although Zhou Enlai proposed' The goal of the four modernizations', but it was Deng Xiaoping who took steps to move towards this goal step by step in order to change the political trend after Zhou's death. Now China's economy is very vibrant, with a wide variety of food and clothing in stores, and widespread television In recent years, Chinese people's living standards have been improving, which is the result of Deng Xiaoping's new policies. If the "Cultural Revolution" launched by Mao Zedong dug a big hole in the road ahead of the country's car, and he If he left the world just like that, then it was Deng Xiaoping who filled this big pit so that cars and people could pass through smoothly. Not only that, he made the Chinese car run. This car is not in the direction of the lock country, but Galloping along the direction of the founding of the country. It can be said that Deng Xiaoping is doing an unprecedented career.”

Professor Takeuchi's analysis has its own certain truth. In 1980, in the newly published book "Friendship is Easy, Understanding is Difficult", he made a comprehensive and objective review of Deng Xiaoping's eight-day visit to Japan from October 22 to 29, 1978 and the impression he left on the Japanese people. Documentary description, and spoke highly of Deng Xiaoping's visit to Japan, saying that "Deng Xiaoping set off a 'Typhoon Deng' in Japan".He said: "Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping visited Japan as if a typhoon had passed by, and his schedule showed that he was very energetic. After the typhoon passed, we looked up at the clear, cloudless sky with a relaxed and happy mood, and tasted the autumn Here we are. What has this 'Typhoon Deng' left for us Japanese?"

Yes, what did Deng Xiaoping leave for the Japanese?What has been left for Sino-Japanese relations? At 4 pm on October 25, 1978, a "Western European-style" press conference that attracted worldwide attention kicked off at the Japanese Press Club in Hibiya, Tokyo, Japan. Today's protagonist is Deng Xiaoping again. This is also the first time that a leader of the People's Republic of China has agreed to meet journalists in a "Western European way" during a foreign visit. More than 400 journalists attending the press conference were from Jiji, Kyodo News, Reuters, United Press International, Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, Deutsche Presse and other world-renowned news agencies. They are all "masters" who ask sharp and merciless questions.

Because it was the first time that a leader of the Communist Party of China held such a press conference.Those Western journalists who were good at digging into the corners and trying to find flaws in Deng Xiaoping's impromptu answers were all gearing up to test the Chinese. But they were "disappointed" by Deng Xiaoping's confident, calm, and ingenious answers. At the beginning of the reception, Deng Xiaoping briefly commented on the historical significance of the "Sino-Japanese Treaty of Peace and Friendship", the issue of anti-hegemony, and China's domestic and foreign policies. The answer is wrong, please criticize.”

In this way, the venue is more active. A Jiji reporter was the first to ask a question: "In your speech just now, you said that due to the existence of hegemony, there is the danger of a world war. However, our country adopts all-round diplomacy and wants to get along with all countries. Do you think that the two countries have great influence on the world? Is there any difference in understanding of the situation?" In fact, on this issue, the Japanese government has been evasive, and its attitude is not very clear.Since Japanese journalists first brought this issue to the table, Deng Xiaoping was unceremonious and bluntly expressed China's point of view: "Opposing hegemony is the core of the "Sino-Japanese Treaty of Peace and Friendship." Because we want peace and friendship, To seek peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region and the world, it is impossible not to oppose hegemony. According to the meaning contained in the "Sino-Japanese Treaty of Peace and Friendship", I think that if someone imposes hegemony on Japan, I am afraid The Japanese people would not approve either."

Deng Xiaoping's ingenious and sharp answer left the Japanese reporter speechless, and he nodded in conviction. When a reporter suggested that the centers of tension in Asia were North Korea and Vietnam, Deng Xiaoping, with his broad historical perspective, spoke of the need for reunification of divided countries. Deng Xiaoping said: "We have always believed that the problem of artificially dividing a country into two will be resolved sooner or later. The problem of the two Vietnams will be resolved. Although Vietnam is now against us, it will resolve the reunification of its own country. This is just. In addition to the 'two Koreas', there are two Germanys and 'two Chinas'. Is there a question of whether one country owns one percent of Japan? These questions must always be resolved. It can’t be solved in ten years, it can’t be solved in a hundred years, it can’t be solved in a hundred years, it can be solved in a thousand years! This kind of national desire, this trend is irresistible.”

When Deng Xiaoping said, "Is there still a question of whether one country owns one percent of Japan?" he referred to the question of the four northern islands of Japan.Regarding Deng Xiaoping's speech, Japan's "Asahi Shimbun" commented that it "fullly demonstrated Deng Xiaoping's demeanor worthy of being a great man." However, at this time, a Japanese reporter brought up an issue agreed by China and Japan earlier that neither China nor Japan would be involved in this time—the issue of ownership of the "Senkaku Islands" (called "Diaoyu Islands" in China).

The Senkaku Islands, called the Diaoyu Islands in China, are affiliated islands of Taiwan Province of China and naturally belong to Chinese territory.It was ceded to Japan after the Sino-Japanese War. When Kakuei Tanaka visited China in September 1972, he asked Zhou Enlai to clarify the ownership of the island.At that time, in order not to let this difficult-to-resolve issue become an obstacle to the normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations, Zhou Enlai said: "It is better not to discuss it now, and there is no mark on the map. If there is oil, it will become a problem." In this regard, the Japanese side also agreed Agree. In August 1978, Japanese Foreign Minister Nao Sonoda discussed this issue with Deng Xiaoping again in Beijing.At that time, shortly after the two sides had negotiated on the issue of Chinese fishermen fishing in the waters around the island, the Japanese side wanted to take advantage of the conclusion of the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Peace and Friendship to force China to recognize that the island belonged to Japan.According to Sonoda’s recollection in an interview with a reporter from Japan’s Weekly Bunshun, he asked Deng Xiaoping a question like this:

"To be honest... there is another problem... If I, the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, don't mention it, I will have no face to see Jiangdong's elders..." Hearing what I said, Deng Xiaoping said: "I understand, I understand you, just talk about it!" So I mustered up the courage to point out that the Senkaku Islands have been our country's territory since ancient times, and I can't explain the occurrence of the previous "accidental incident". Deng Xiaoping spread his hands with a smile, and said, "The last time was an accident. The fishermen chased the fish, but there was nothing else in their eyes. That kind of thing will never happen again, absolutely will not happen." I was really scared, and I only prayed to God to bless me.If Deng Xiaoping said "it's not Japanese territory" and "it's Chinese territory", I'm done. He straightened himself up, and said, "As always, put it aside for 20, 30 years." When he said this, his attitude was calm.I can't stand it.He patted Deng on the shoulder vigorously and said, "Your Excellency, there is no need to talk." He was walking around leisurely there, and I felt like my whole body was paralyzed. More than two months ago, Deng Xiaoping's answer was so relaxed and unrestrained, which greatly impressed Sonoda Nao.At this moment, when the Japanese reporter raised this sensitive question again, the atmosphere in the venue suddenly became tense, and everyone held their breath to see how Deng Xiaoping would answer. Deng Xiaoping said very easily: "'Senkaku Islands', we call the Diaoyu Islands, we call this name differently, and the two sides have different views. When we realized the normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations, we both agreed not to involve this issue. This discussion When the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Peace and Friendship was signed, the two sides also agreed not to involve this issue. However, some people want to pick some thorns on this issue to hinder the development of Sino-Japanese relations. We think it is wiser for the two governments to avoid this issue Yes. It doesn’t matter if you put such a problem aside, and it doesn’t matter if you wait 10 years. Our generation lacks wisdom, and we cannot reach an agreement on this issue. The next generation will always be smarter than us, and we will definitely find a method that is acceptable to both of us.” Deng Xiaoping answered such an important question of territorial ownership so cleverly and reasonably.This "Chinese-style solution" was unexpected by the reporters, and it immediately convinced all the reporters present. When answering questions about China's modernization, Deng Xiaoping once again impressed Western journalists with his candid, pragmatic and open style. Deng Xiaoping said: "When we talk about the modernization achieved by the end of this century, we mean that it is relatively close to the level at that time. The world is advancing by leaps and bounds, and the level at that time, such as Japan, is definitely not the current level. We want to reach the level of Japan, Europe, The current level of the United States is not easy, and it will be even more difficult to reach the level in 22 years. We soberly estimated this difficulty, but we still set up such an ambition.” Deng Xiaoping also said that in order to realize China's modernization, "we must have correct policies, that is, we must be good at learning, and we must use the current international advanced technology and advanced management methods as the starting point for our development. First of all, admit our backwardness and be honest. If we truly admit that we are backward, there is hope. Next, we must be good at learning. This time we come to Japan to learn from Japan. We seek advice from all developed countries and the good experience of poor friends in the third world. I believe that with this attitude, Policies and guidelines, we have hope." Regarding China's backwardness, Deng Xiaoping made a vivid metaphor and said with self-deprecation: "It is impossible to dress up like a beauty when you are ugly." On the 26th, major Japanese media reported Deng Xiaoping's press conference in prominent positions one after another. "Tokyo Shimbun" said: Deng Xiaoping is both witty and eloquent, sometimes changing the topic, and has great conversation skills-this "short giant" really lives up to his reputation. "Daily News" commented on Deng Xiaoping with the title "Vice Premier Deng Holds the First "Western European Style" Press Conference" and said: "Neither show majesty nor put on airs, and speak in a low and steady tone and a gentle tone... Always He talked about Japan-China friendship and the world situation with a smile on his face.Thinking of the bumpy life of the so-called "Longevity Bird" who fell and came to power again and again, it makes people think what a rare "talent" he is. However, Professor Takeuchi commented on Deng Xiaoping in his article: "It is not that we Japanese are not uneasy when we see that China is going to 'modernize. The signal is understandable. But I think behind this understanding, we Japanese feel guilty. This is the responsibility of the war, and it is the debt owed for the invasion of China.” Obviously this is the voice of the Japanese with conscience. On the afternoon of October 29, 1978, Deng Xiaoping concluded his eight-day visit to Japan and returned to China by special plane from Osaka, Japan.Some commented that during the eight-day visit, Deng Xiaoping's visit to the Kansai region of Japan was the climax.Because before Deng Xiaoping's arrival, in order to be able to attend the dinner party scheduled to be jointly held by Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the 28th, all parties in Kansai's economic circles launched a unique "competition".Many people in the economic circles and business groups have recommended themselves to the organizers, actively demanding that "our company must also participate...".This surprised the organizers and said: "As expected, Deng Xiaoping is really hot!" In this regard, "Daily News" commented: "China's expectations for the Kansai Foundation are unexpected, and Kansai The great expectations placed by the economic circles on the Chinese market have surpassed that of China.” Commentators believe that one of the main reasons for the weakening of Kansai’s economic foundation after the war is the loss of the Chinese market, so all major companies want to take this opportunity to catch up.For this reason, the economic circles in Kansai held a welcome banquet specially for Deng Xiaoping, and invited Deng Xiaoping to taste Japanese dishes, the purpose of which was to further impress the Chinese guests. In fact, the "Deng Xiaoping craze" started before Deng Xiaoping came to Japan. The day before Deng Xiaoping arrived in Tokyo, the Japanese "Sankei Shimbun" exclaimed: Because of Deng Xiaoping's visit to Japan, the "China fever" in the economic circle has overheated! In the early morning of the 23rd, Prime Minister Fukuda talked with reporters at his residence about the "uniform" situation in which the whole country unanimously talked about Deng Xiaoping. People in Japanese business circles believe that China, with a population of 900 million and rich resources, will purchase a large amount of machinery and equipment from abroad as it develops the "four modernizations".Therefore, China will inevitably become the only remaining largest trade market in the world.Careful observers found that, based on the same understanding, more than 200 Japanese companies, including Isuzu, Mitsubishi, Toyota, and Hitachi, took an unprecedented action on October 24. "Mainichi Shimbun", "Tokyo Shimbun" and almost all major newspapers and periodicals published advertisements to celebrate the entry into force of the Japan-China Treaty of Peace and Friendship and to welcome Deng Xiaoping's visit. On the 25th, at the welcome banquet held for Deng Xiaoping by six economic organizations of the Keidanren Federation, the number of people present was as high as 320, which broke the record of 300 people in Japan when it welcomed Queen Elizabeth of England.What is even more memorable is that at the banquet table, there was also a lively scene of one-on-one exchanging business cards with the Chinese entourage. Associated Press reporter John Roderick once commented in an appreciative tone: "Deng Xiaoping played the role of a super Chinese salesman during his visit to Japan. With his funny smile and energetic conversation, he not only impresses people. It left a deep impression and made new friends for China.” The Japanese media vividly called the "China Fever" sparked by Deng Xiaoping's visit to Japan the "Deng Xiaoping Whirlwind". History has proved that "Deng Xiaoping's whirlwind" is not just a "wind", but a turning point with far-reaching and lasting influence, which is of historic significance to China, Japan, Asia and even the world's peace and development. meaning. Deng Xiaoping chose 1978, the Year of the Horse, to go abroad to shake hands with the Emperor of Japan. After soberly reflecting on the ups and downs of the new China in the past 20 years, Deng Xiaoping, with the great political courage and tolerant political wisdom of a leader of a big country, expressed his gratitude to the Japanese emperor. The world boldly declares: China cannot develop without the world!To achieve modernization, China must reform and open up! Deng Xiaoping said to the Emperor of Japan back then: "Let the past be the past, and we must look forward positively in the future."Today, Deng Xiaoping's phrase "Let the past be the past" has become a famous saying and is quoted by people, but the latter sentence "We must look forward" is always ignored by people.Only by "looking forward positively" can we ignore past grievances and "let the past" go, but it does not mean that we forget the "past".What if you don't "look forward positively"?That's going backwards!It is a betrayal of history! But in recent years, many actions of the Japanese government have worried many Asian countries, including China: Once, the Ministry of Education and Culture revised textbooks to deny the invasion of China; once, the Minister of International Trade and Industry distorted the history of aggression; once, When Prime Minister Murayama visited the Anti-Japanese War Memorial in China, he kept saying that he was a defeated country and did not mention the word "aggression". After several months of debate, a compromise was reached... Now, the sea has its "self-defense force", its "eighty-eight fleet", and more cutting-edge and advanced "killing weapons" "In 2004, it sent its Self-Defense Forces into Iraq, which is still at war... Japan's top leaders have repeatedly stated that they should learn from history, reflect deeply, take the path of peaceful development, emphasize the friendship between China and Japan from generation to generation, and recognize that there is only one China. .However, the Japanese ruling and opposition parties have so far refused to seriously reflect on the crimes committed in the past, refused to apologize publicly, and even openly violated China's sovereignty. Conquer the world".Therefore, as long as the external environment can take advantage of it, Japanese militarism will jump out of the gutter and go into battle.Therefore, Japan, which is determined to become a political power, has long concealed its attitude towards the war of aggression for which history has been concluded, "still holding a pipa half-hidden", how can Asian countries trust and rest assured in it? On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Peace and Friendship in 1998, Japan actually released the film "Self-esteem——Moment of Destiny" that distorts history in various places, and still wanted to find various excuses Propagating the rationality of "killing prisoners" wantonly beautifies and flatters the Class A war criminal Hideki Tojo who launched the aggressive war back then, and tries his best to exonerate the war criminals, thereby achieving the goal of overturning the just judgment of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, and becoming the public enemy of the people of the world in World War II Hideki Tojo and his ilk summon souls.This act of openly provoking peace and desecrating justice has seriously violated the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement and the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Peace and Friendship, and has also broken the trust of Asian countries and the people of the world. In China, "China Youth Daily" and Zero Point Survey Company have both completed public opinion surveys on international relations between China and Japan. The memory of the Anti-Japanese War where he lost his life is still fresh.However, in some places in China today, some people even happily wear the "imperial army uniform" that was once stained with Chinese blood, and walk through the streets "chicly" in the streets. Jilin Tonghua often has fake "Japanese devils" wandering around, Xiamen has sold "Imperial Army Caps", Zhengzhou has photographed "Imperial Army Ministers", and a certain manufacturer has produced Japanese warships for invading China. What's more, some people in Fujian pretended to be "Japanese orphans" in an attempt to smuggle in. Now the capital Beijing almost A well-known wedding photo studio also opened a Japanese "samurai costume" wedding art photography. This behavior of taking shame as glory and degrading the national dignity is really indignant and shameful!We should ask ourselves, when the Japanese prime minister insists on visiting the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors the Class-A war criminals of World War II, every year regardless of the feelings of the Asian people, and when they are desperately clamoring for the so-called so-called, why are there still quite a few of us who are in the country and the nation? The heartbreaking "forgetfulness", "ignorance" and "numbness" were shown in front of the shame of the Chinese nation. Where did the self-esteem of the Chinese nation go? "Could it be that the Japanese cars really softened our bones? Could it be that the Japanese electrical appliances really simplified our IQ? If we didn't kneel down to sincerely apologize, why should we accept those seemingly polite bows? "A poet's exclamation from the depths of the soul, what kind of deep thinking should it give us? The great Chairman Mao Zedong warned the people with wisdom: "Japanese imperialism takes advantage of its close relationship with China to persecute the survival of all ethnic groups in China and persecute the Chinese revolution." The truth is still alarming to this day.To know shame is close to courage, to forget shame is to be humiliated.As the Czech literary master Milan Kundera said: The struggle of human beings against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting.Lenin said: "Forgetting history is tantamount to betrayal!" So, if you can't see today clearly, can't you remember today?Today is tomorrow's history! The Chinese nation is a tolerant nation, China is a magnanimous country, and the Chinese people are kind people. There is a saying that hangs on the lips of the Chinese people: "Let the past be the past", but friendship belongs to friendship, history After all, it is history. When we look forward actively, history will always leave a memory in our hearts!