Throughout the long history of Asia, there was a terrifying battle, which was deeply engraved in the memory of the world. It was the Sino-Japanese War, a huge collision between China and Japan, an endless intertwining of humiliation and helplessness. In this period of history, there is the experience of a family, the tenacity and choices of a politician. Today, we travel through time, look back at the past, and re-examine the legend of the Lin family, a family and history intertwined.
In Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Chunfan Tower stood on the seashore and still stands today. In front of this century-old shop, a statue of a puffer fish proclaims the humiliation of the past. The Sino-Japanese War broke out, and China and Japan were drawn into the flames. In April 1895, the Treaty of Shimonoseki was signed, the dignity of the Chinese nation was trampled on, and a page of humiliation was turned.
However, the protagonist of this story, Hayashi Yoshimasa's great-grandfather Hayashi Heishiro, is an industrialist from Yamaguchi Prefecture, and his career is deeply rooted in this land. The Lin family has a long history, from Lin Heishiro to Lin Jiajiu to Lin Yoshiro, and then to Lin Yoshiro, inheriting the concept of Sino-Japanese friendship from generation to generation. They have not only achieved outstanding achievements in their careers, but also stood by their beliefs at the crossroads of history.
And Lin Fangzheng is the pride of this family. His life was full of political and diplomatic turmoil. A graduate of the University of Tokyo, he has traveled to Greece, Turkey, Brazil and other places to gain extensive international experience. While pursuing a master's degree at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, he interned in the U.S. Senate Office and experienced the intermingling of different cultures. However, Lin Fangzheng is not blindly pro-China, he understands the complexity of international politics and the foothold of Chinese diplomacy. He held important positions in Japanese politics, serving as Minister of Defense and Minister of Economy and Finance, contributing to the prosperity and stability of the country.
However, the bitter lessons of the Sino-Japanese War deeply stung the heart of every Chinese. The Beiyang Navy Division was completely destroyed, and the country was reduced to a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society. Li Hongzhang's negotiations brought humiliating treaties and caused huge losses to the country. In the Lin family's family tree, this piece of history has been engraved with traces that can never be erased.
However, the wheel of history does not stop moving. As president of the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentary Alliance, Lin Fang interpreted his reflections on history and expectations for the future with his actions. His appeal for multilateral diplomacy is a yearning for a peaceful and stable world. His father, Yoshiro Hayashi, once frankly confessed Japan's past mistakes during a visit to China and expressed deep reflection. This kind of historical remembrance has made people see the possibility of Sino-Japanese friendship.
Standing at the historical node, Lin Fangzheng put forward the concept that China "cannot 'fight back, scold and fight back'". This is not a sign of weakness, but a commitment to the spirit of struggle. China dares to fight and is good at struggle, but at the same time it has a bottom line and will not let the risk get out of control or spill over too much. Cooperation with the international community, building multilateral diplomacy and forming a united front mechanism are important ways to achieve national prosperity.
Looking back, the lessons of history are deeply engraved in our hearts. The humiliation of the Sino-Japanese War is remembered by every Chinese. However, we do not stay in the past, but embrace the future. The concept of Sino-Japanese friendship passed down by the Lin family from generation to generation is precisely to create a better tomorrow. In the international arena, China will continue to work hard and contribute to world peace and prosperity in its own way.
Lin Fangzheng, an experienced politician, has written a chapter of Sino-Japanese friendship throughout his life. His family, deeply rooted in the land of history, witnessed the entanglement of the fate of a family and the country. The Sino-Japanese War, the tragedy of that period of history, is a thing of the past. But history will not be forgotten, we must remember history, cherish peace, and create the future together.