In the autumn of October, the weather is clear, which is the most beautiful season of the year in Tokyo.
A man stood in front of the window, smiling, admiring this rare beautiful autumn color. He had been working continuously for several days, but he could not see half tiredness on his face, but he was full of energy, like putting down a large stone hanging in his heart. He was Deng Xiaoping.
In 1978, Deng Xiaoping visited Japan as vice chairman of the CPC Central Committee and vice premier of the State Council.
Not long ago, the two countries had just concluded a treaty of peace and friendship, and one of the most important issues between China and Japan was the ownership of the Diaoyu Islands.
During the visit, a Japanese journalist confronted Deng Xiaoping and asked him which country the Diaoyu Islands belonged to.
In the face of such difficulties, Deng Xiaoping smiled slightly, and with only a few words, he won the applause of the audience.
What exactly did Deng Xiaoping say? How did he resolve the Diaoyu Islands dispute? How did the reporter who asked the question react?
The answer to all this was hidden at that special press conference.
Cleverly resolved: The Sharp Question of Japanese Journalists
October 25, 1978, afternoon.
Reporters waited anxiously at the door, and the not-so-spacious space was flooded by the crowd. These reporters are not small, all work for the world's famous news agency, nearly four hundred people lean in a whisper to communicate, the spotlight has long been turned on, the camera is like a long gun and a short cannon, quietly waiting for the moment to come.
Not far away, several TV vans were also fully armed, and in front of the TV sets, there were also many people waiting for the spot.
They were waiting for the same person.
Suddenly, there was an exclamation from the crowd, the door slowly opened, and a small man walked slowly out with a smile, he smiled and waved to all the reporters who were waiting for him.
It turned out that what everyone was waiting for was Deng Xiaoping, who was visiting Japan.
It was a special press conference because for the first time the remarkable senior leader of the Chinese Communist Party agreed to meet openly with journalists during his visit.
Journalists from all over the world were riveted and vowed to ask meaningful questions. Two months ago, China and Japan, two countries that had been hostile for several years, froze their previous suspicions and signed a Sino-Japanese treaty of peace and friendship.
There is no doubt that Deng Xiaoping was one of the most critical figures in this diplomatic event.
After a brief uproar, the press conference finally began.
One question after another was thrown out, the reporters asked diligently, and Deng Xiaoping answered naturally. I saw that he was calm and calm, answering all the questions carefully, and did not miss a single one. All the reporters present buried their heads in painstaking memories, the shutters were endless, Deng Xiaoping's outstanding performance won unanimous praise from the reporters, and the reception was gradually pushed to a climax.
Just then, however, a Japanese journalist stood up.
I saw him take the microphone, look at Deng Xiaoping, and ask his own question word by word.
He said: "Vice Chairman Deng, since China and Japan have already concluded a treaty of peace and friendship, why doesn't China recognize the Senkaku Islands as owned by Japan?" ”
The Senkaku Islands are the Diaoyu Islands.
The question was too sharp, like a thunderclap on the ground, detonating the originally calm venue.
As soon as his voice fell, everyone's eyes widened and fell silent. The air in the venue gradually became dead silent, and tension and embarrassment spread silently in an instant. But many more pricked up their ears in anticipation of Mr. Deng's answer.
Everyone knows the sensitivity of this question, but everyone is full of curiosity about its answer, and people are more concerned about how the extraordinary leader on the stage will deal with such a "difficulty" in addition to the question itself.
However, Deng Xiaoping was calm throughout.
He waited for the people to calm down, and then he smiled and said the first words.
Deng Xiaoping said: "The Senkaku Islands are the name of Japan, and the Chinese name is diaoyu Dao, which is a subsidiary island of Taiwan Province. ”
In a relaxed tone, as if he were really gossiping, he chatted with everyone present about two different names for the island.
Unconsciously, the tense atmosphere was alleviated, and the reporters present momentarily forgot the sharpness of the question itself and began to patiently listen to Deng Xiaoping talk about the past and present life of this beautiful island.
Deng Xiaoping told everyone that after the Sino-Japanese War, the Diaoyu Islands were ceded to Japan. Until Prime Minister Tanaka's visit to China in 1972, he asked Premier Zhou Enlai to clarify the ownership of the island, but at that time, Zhou Enlai suggested that Prime Minister Tanaka not discuss this issue for the time being. In this way, whether it is the Diaoyu Islands or the Senkaku Islands, it has been shelved to this day.
His tone became more and more relaxed, like a best storyteller, and everyone was fascinated.
As Deng Xiaoping spoke, he observed the reactions of the people in the audience.
He smiled and said frankly: "The two sides have different names and different views. ”
As soon as these words came out, the originally relaxed atmosphere suddenly became tense again, and everyone knew that after the moving story, Deng Xiaoping was about to give a real answer.
Sure enough, Deng Xiaoping bluntly told all the reporters present that when normalizing Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations, China and Japan agreed not to involve this issue.
Therefore, when talking about the Sino-Japanese treaty of peace and friendship this time, the two countries have continued the tacit understanding of six years ago, and they have also bypassed this issue.
The next second, Deng Xiaoping's words turned sharply, and his tone suddenly became serious.
He pointed out that although the two governments have bypassed this issue, there are still people who want to provoke on this issue, thus hindering the development of Sino-Japanese relations, which absolutely cannot be tolerated.
In ordinary days, Deng Xiaoping has always shown a gentle image, but when he really touched the bottom line, his aura suddenly became sharp, so that everyone present could not ignore the weight of this warning.
But soon, he smiled and returned to his previous relaxed tone, telling everyone that he thought that problems like the Diaoyu Islands did not matter if they waited for ten years.
This surprised everyone present, no matter which country in the past, no matter what country, the territory has never been trivial, not to mention an important area like the Diaoyu Dao, which has been disputed for a long time.
As a top leader of the CCP, how could Deng Xiaoping be willing to shelve this issue, or even release words, claiming that it would not be too late to solve it in ten years.
Soon, people's doubts were solved.
Facing countless cameras, Deng Xiaoping firmly and slowly expressed his views.
He said: "Our generation lacks wisdom, we can't agree on this issue, and the next generation is always smarter than us and will definitely find a solution that is acceptable to each other." ”
After he calmly said this sentence, the venue was silent for a few seconds, and then thunderous applause broke out!
In just one sentence, it not only shows the bottom line of territorial sanctity and inviolability, but also sincerely expresses the desire for the joint development of China and Japan, and also shows China's extraordinary arrogance as a big country, as well as Deng Xiaoping's superb wisdom as a politician!
Don't forget the past, grasp the present, and hope for the future.
Deng Xiaoping stood on the stage, facing the eyes of the reporter who asked the question, and his eyes also had a thick smile and deep appreciation. Among the crowd, his applause was the warmest.
In fact, the controversy over the Diaoyu Islands had in-depth exchanges with Japanese Foreign Minister Naoto Sonoda long before Deng Xiaoping's visit to Japan.
It was that meeting, which was equally full of wisdom, that laid the solid foundation for the signing of a treaty of peace and friendship between China and Japan.
Meet Nao Sonoda: Treaty of Friendship with The Diaoyu Islands
This meeting goes back six years.
In 1972, Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka visited China, and China and Japan resumed the normalization of diplomatic relations. For the two countries, this is a big step in the progress of mutual relations, and for the world, it is also an important move to break the bipolar pattern and the protracted Cold War.
After that, the signing of the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Peace and Friendship was put on the agenda.
The world situation is turbulent, and China and Japan have agreed to reach a relatively stable and lasting friendly relationship in such a changeable world – perhaps fifty years, a hundred years, or even longer.
However, during this critical period, Zhou Enlai fell ill. Therefore, Deng Xiaoping took up the heavy burden and began to push forward the negotiation of the treaty with Japan.
This preparation took six years.
It was not until the beginning of 1978 that Prime Minister Fukuda said at the plenary meeting of the Senate and the House of Representatives that the time was ripe for negotiations on a treaty of peace and friendship and that the results should be vigorously promoted. Against this backdrop, Futian sent Foreign Minister Yuan Tianzhi to visit China in August to make final discussions with Deng Xiaoping.
In the negotiations between the two, the Diaoyu Island issue occupies a lot of space.
Both China and Japan know that only by resolving the contradictions on the Diaoyu Dao issue can China and Japan truly sign this peaceful treaty.
On the afternoon of August 10, Deng Xiaoping and Yuan Tian officially met.
After discussing a series of basic issues, both sides were satisfied with each other's performance. But the most important question had not yet been raised, and after much thought, Yuan Tian looked at the sincere Deng Xiaoping and decided to speak.
At first, he was a little embarrassed.
He said: "Seriously... One more question... If I, the Japanese Foreign Minister, don't speak, I won't have the face to see Father Jiangdong..."
Deng Xiaoping had already guessed what he was going to say and encouraged him to talk about it.
They gathered in Beijing to settle the dispute.
So Sonoda plucked up the courage to tell Deng Xiaoping that the Senkaku Islands were Japanese territory, and that if after the conclusion of the treaty, the government would not be able to account for the "occasional incident" that occurred before.
By "contingencies," Soonda refers to the normal activities of Chinese fishermen near the Diaoyu Islands.
When Deng Xiaoping heard his words, his face darkened for a moment, and he told Yuan Tian bluntly that diaoyu Dao and other islands had been China's territory since ancient times, and there had never been a claim that they were Japanese territory. But before the atmosphere could really be tense, Mr. Deng smiled again, spread his hands, and playfully responded to Yuantian's question.
"The last time was an accidental incident, the fishermen chased the fish and there was nothing else in their eyes," he said. ”
Hearing this, Sonoda still frowned, and it was obvious that this answer did not meet his expectations. However, Deng Xiaoping was not humble and chose to respond positively to the problem of Garden Field. He straightened up, cleared his throat, and told Yuantian that it was better to put the problem on hold for twenty years, or even thirty years, as always.
(Fishing boats near Diaoyu Islands)
Hearing this, Yuan Tian still could not understand, he was slightly anxious, but he was quickly calmed by Deng Xiaoping.
Deng Xiaoping's words made him instantly quiet.
Deng Xiaoping said: "In the current international situation, we want to get your help, but I am also convinced that Japan will also get some help from China." ”
Sonoda knew that Deng Xiaoping was absolutely right in saying that in today's international community, China and Japan really need each other. For Japan, if it loses its friendly relations with China, it will also be in difficulty in the world.
Seeing that Yuan Tian listened, Deng Xiaoping continued to analyze it.
He told Sonoda that there have always been many problems between China and Japan, in addition to the Diaoyu Dao issue, there is also the issue of the continental shelf, and there have always been many people in Japan who have tried to provoke such things to hinder the signing of the treaty of peace and friendship. He gently warned Yuantian not to get involved in such a problem, to consider the overall situation, and to leave it for a few years in the spirit of a treaty of peace and friendship.
Immediately afterward, he asked Yuantian if they could not reach an agreement today, then China and Japan would not get along with each other.
Yuan Tian subconsciously shook his head, and in that instant, he understood Deng Xiaoping's deep meaning.
And What Deng Xiaoping said next completely touched him.
Deng Xiaoping said: "We must put aside the issue of the Diaoyu Islands, take it slowly, and consider it calmly. ”
China and Japan already have many differences. Both countries have their own considerations, both political systems and situations, and Deng Xiaoping vividly described the conflict as saying that it is impossible for the two countries to speak in the same language on any issue. But what should not be ignored is that China and Japan have a lot in common, and even in Japanese, there are a large number of Chinese characters, from the past to the present, and even the future, China and Japan have an intertwined fate.
Although the diaoyu dao issue is important, China will never be able to compromise on issues concerning its territory, but seeking common ground, reserving minor differences, and seeking more cooperation and win-win results are also what China and Japan are pursuing.
At the end of the conversation, Deng Xiaoping looked at YuanTian and said sincerely: "The nature of the treaty is to stipulate this direction, and as Mr. Yuantian said, it is a new starting point." ”
In this way, Before the signing of the treaty, China and Japan reached an agreement on the issue of the Diaoyu Islands.
At 7 p.m. on August 12, the Great Hall of the People was illuminated and the signing ceremony was officially held.
The three-year negotiations have finally come to an end, and sino-Japanese relations have reached a new level.
Although the Diaoyu Dao issue has not been resolved for the time being, Deng Xiaoping has always been thinking about the way out of this problem.
The idea of "joint development" came into being.
Co-development: Deng Xiaoping's vision
In fact, the Diaoyu Dao issue has a long history, and the root cause of all these problems is actually a series of illegal annexations of Chinese territory by Japan in modern times out of the need for self-expansion.
As early as the Ming Dynasty, the Chinese navigation book "Sending with the Wind" has a detailed record of the Diaoyu Islands and its surrounding islands. During the Qing Dynasty, these islands were always under the jurisdiction of the Qing court. In 1893, Cixi even issued an edict granting the Diaoyu Islands to Sheng Xuanhuai as medicinal land.
It was not until after the Sino-Japanese War that China was defeated that Japan took advantage of the opportunity to occupy the Diaoyu Islands. Later, according to the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, the Diaoyu Islands should have been returned to China, but the intervention of the United States has gradually complicated the matter, and the return of the Diaoyu Islands has not been realized. It was not until the 1970s, when Sino-Japanese relations eased, that the two countries regained the opportunity to negotiate the Diaoyu Dao issue.
Deng Xiaoping's concept of "joint development" was actually a strategic product of the wisdom of that era.
To be clear, the shelving of sovereignty disputes is the most important prerequisite for this idea.
At that time, New China had just been founded, the domestic economy needed to develop, and international relations also needed to break the diplomatic isolation of Western countries, which required the reconstruction of diplomatic relations with Japan. Not only that, but China is also committed to maintaining a peaceful international environment after the war, so it decided to treat the status quo coldly.
Deng Xiaoping said many times that if they are not dealt with for the time being, it does not mean that they do not exist, these places have belonged to China since ancient times, but the two countries are not eager to change the status quo, and the most important thing is not to use force, on the basis of goodwill, first jointly develop, and then wait for the opportunity.
For the people, it is a very good thing to be able to develop and profit together.
You know, the vicinity of the Diaoyu Islands is rich in materials, not only can engage in fishery and scientific research activities, but also a lot of oil. It is precisely because he saw the huge interests behind it that Deng Xiaoping would say that joint development is nothing more than the undersea oil near the island, which can be jointly operated and mutually profitable.
In addition, Deng Xiaoping also proposed that the two countries should also jointly protect the Diaoyu Islands.
Both the maintenance of the marine environment and the study of biodiversity can only be carried out in a peaceful environment. Under all these considerations, co-development was undoubtedly the optimal solution at that time.
For China and Japan in the 1970s, the Diaoyu Islands were a major issue concerning the establishment of diplomacy between the two countries, and Deng Xiaoping's outstanding wisdom in dealing with this issue also won China more attention and applause on the international stage.
Times are developing, state-to-state relations are constantly changing, and the controversy over the Diaoyu Islands has never stopped, but Deng Xiaoping has left us with one of the different ideas for handling and solving problems. Since ancient times, the Diaoyu Islands have been China's territory, unquestionable, unshakable, no matter how the times change, the protection and development of the Diaoyu Islands, has always been our ultimate goal.
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