Pictured| Premier Zhou and Kakuei Tanaka
<h1 class="pgc-h-center-line" data-track="2" > preface</h1>
On September 25, 1972, the weather in Beijing was as clear as ever.
After taking off from Japan, a plane slowly landed at the Beijing airport, and Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka slowly walked away.
The Chinese side held a grand welcome ceremony to this end, Premier Zhou personally went to the airport to greet him, and after a polite greeting, Premier Zhou accompanied Tanaka Kakuei to stay at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.
Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka's visit to China opened the process of normalizing Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations.
<h1 class="pgc-h-center-line" data-track="114" > "Go diplomacy" in the history of Sino-Japanese diplomacy</h1>
When it comes to a country like Japan, it cannot but be mentioned in the War of Resistance Against Japan.
The exchanges between China and Japan in modern history can be said to be accompanied by blood and tears, and for a country like Japan, Chinese people are full of complicated emotions at the beginning of their exchanges.
As a country defeated in World War II, Japan also harbored a deep resentment toward China, and after the end of World War II, Japan's diplomatic strategy was to closely follow the United States and adopt a hostile attitude toward New China.
On May 2, 1958, the Nagasaki Branch of the Japan-China Friendship Association held an exhibition of Chinese products at the Hamaya Department Store building in the city, and the five-star red flag of China was hung on the venue.
As a result, in the afternoon of the same day, two Japanese thugs violently rushed into the venue and ripped off the five-star red flag on the spot, causing an insult to our national flag.
However, the two thugs were later covered up by the Cabinet of Kishi Nobusuke of Japan.
This incident caused an uproar in China, and almost pushed the exchanges between the Chinese and Japanese peoples that have just been promoted into a trough.
Compared with the indifferent attitude of the Japanese side, the Chinese leader has shown the quality that a big country should have in promoting Sino-Japanese relations.
Figure| Mei Lanfang led a delegation to visit Japan in May 1956
Both official and non-governmental, China is actively promoting friendly exchanges between China and Japan.
In May 1956, the Chinese side sent a Peking Opera delegation headed by Mei Lanfang to Japan to perform in Japan.
Before leaving, Mei Lanfang was still a little unable to think, but Premier Zhou patiently persuaded him:
"You're a patriotic artist, and now you're performing in Japan and sending plays to your door, and it's a bit of a no-brainer." When China was invaded, it was a handful of fascist reactionary warlords, and most of these people had already received the punishment they deserved. ”
"Our Chinese Peking Opera delegation to Japan traveled to Japan to perform, singing to the Japanese people, who, like the Chinese people, are victims of the war, and we want to show sympathy to them, and they will certainly welcome us."
Mei Lanfang led a delegation to Perform in Japan, which caused a sensational effect, and although it encountered many accidents, it still ended smoothly and successfully.
When it comes to Sino-Japanese diplomacy in the 1950s, we have to mention "Go diplomacy."
In order to ease Sino-Japanese relations, former Japanese Prime Minister Ishibashi Zhanshan visited China in September 1959, and in October, Kenzo Matsumura, an adviser to the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party, visited China.
Matsumura is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, and liao chengzhi, deputy director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the State Council and director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Committee, is a classmate. This trip is also aimed at improving relations between the two countries.
Photo| In 1956, Mei Lanfang visited Japan to perform and took a group photo with Ichikawa Sarinosuke (the first person from right) in Tokyo
Unexpectedly, Matsumura's visit to China made an indissoluble relationship with Chen Yi, vice premier of the State Council and minister of foreign affairs.
Kenzo Matsumura has loved Go since childhood, and Chen Yi is also a famous go master, and when the two meet, they often play chess games, Chen Yi suggests as a friend:
"Go, table tennis, calligraphy, and orchids can all communicate, not politics, only friendship."
Both sides realized that under the promotion of Sino-Japanese relations, it seemed that Go could be chosen as a breakthrough, and in the 1950s and 1960s, China and Japan sent several Go delegations, laying a foundation for promoting the development of China and Japan.
Not only that, in order to facilitate exchanges, Chen Yi, vice premier of the State Council and minister of foreign affairs, also served as the honorary president of the Chinese Weiqi Association.
In 1964, 29 famous Go players in the Japanese Go world jointly issued an appeal to japan's eight million Go enthusiasts to participate in the campaign calling for the restoration of diplomatic relations between Japan and China to collect 30 million signatures. It has greatly promoted the process of friendly exchanges between China and Japan.
Photo| In October 1959, Matsumura shook hands with Premier Zhou during his visit
Until the early 1970s, with the changes in Sino-US relations, Sino-Japanese relations were also put on the agenda.
On February 21, 1972, US President Richard Nixon visited China, marking the right path in Sino-US relations, and Japan, as an ally that closely followed the US policy, was also eager to change its China policy.
"Don't catch the last bus"
It was a common understanding on the Japanese side at that time.
<h1 class="pgc-h-center-line" data-track="115" > Kakuei Tanaka "hurriedly" visited China</h1>
In July 1972, Japanese Prime Minister Eisaku Sato resigned as Prime Minister, who was at a loss for china, and on July 7, Kakuei Tanaka won the general election and successfully formed a cabinet.
As soon as Tanaka Came to power, he immediately expressed his attitude toward China and "speeded up the pace of normalizing diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China." He also said: Fully understand the three principles of normalization of diplomatic relations between China that the Chinese government has always advocated.
Premier Zhou immediately realized that this was a favorable opportunity for the transformation of relations between the two countries:
"If the current Prime Minister, Foreign Minister or other ministers of Japan come to talk about the restoration of diplomatic relations, the Beijing airport is ready to open to them and welcome Tanaka himself."
Premier Zhou's invitation was almost immediately met with a response.
Pictured| Kenzo Matsumura playing chess with Chen Yi
On September 25, 1972, Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka visited China, and after nearly 40 years of severance between the two sides, this was also the first time that a Japanese prime minister set foot in China.
After the courtesy greeting at the airport, Premier Zhou accompanied Tanaka Kakuei to the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, and as soon as he sat down, Tanaka Kakuei asked: "When was this Diaoyutai Hotel built, such a good hotel." ”
Premier Zhou replied: "This is one of the top ten buildings for the 10th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. ”
The small talk between the two brought the two sides closer to each other.
However, after the two formally met, there was an accident.
On the evening of arrival in Beijing, Premier Zhou held a welcome dinner for Kakuei Tanaka, and as is customary, speeches by the leaders of both sides were translated by their own interpreters.
Kakuei Tanaka's translation, a Chinese from Taipei Studies, translates a sentence from Kakuei Tanaka's speech as "Over the past few decades, Japan and China have undergone an unfortunate process." Japan has caused great trouble for the Chinese people, and I would like to express my deep remorse. ”
As soon as this sentence was uttered, it immediately caused an uproar, and there was a buzzing discussion in the banquet hall.
Premier Zhou's English translator Tang Wensheng frowned:
"How can it be so light and fluttery?"
Premier Zhou was very well nurtured, and he did not not make a fuss at the scene, but was very calm, and did not raise objections until the next day.
Picture | September 25, 1972 Zhou Enlai, Ye Jianying, Guo Moruo, Zhou Jianren, Ji Pengfei and others at the airport to greet Tanaka and his party
In fact, according to the Japanese translator who accompanied him, he heard Kakuei Tanaka's original Japanese words at the scene and felt that it would be more accurate to express the meaning of apology on the translation.
Tanaka's original words were not used properly, and the translation was not appropriate. It is also possible to translate it with a little apology to remedy it. The original words were originally more ambiguous, and the translation was even more ambiguous. What is called "adding trouble", it sounds light and fluttery, and the feeling of giving Chinese is that there is no apology at all, which is unacceptable! ”
During the talks the next day, Premier Zhou solemnly proposed to Tanaka:
"You sprinkle water on the skirts of girls passing by, you can say 'add trouble', how can you say 'add trouble'." The Japanese militarists have caused so much harm to the Chinese people, how can it be solved by saying 'adding trouble'?! It is unacceptable not to even have the slightest sense of introspection! ”
In the Sino-Japanese Joint Declaration, which was later signed, it was clearly stated that:
The Japanese side deeply felt the responsibility of the Japanese state for the heavy damage caused to the Chinese people in the past as a result of the war, and expressed profound reflection. The Japanese side reiterates its view that it seeks to normalize diplomatic relations between Japan and China from the standpoint of fully understanding the "Three Principles for the Resumption of Diplomatic Relations" put forward by the Government of the People's Republic of China.
Pictured| Kakuei Tanaka (front) was warmly welcomed by Chinese leaders and Chinese people
However, for Kakuei Tanaka, although the restoration of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations is an irreversible trend, there are still great differences between the two sides on fundamental issues.
There are two most important issues, one is the japanese claim, and the other is the Taiwan issue
<h1 class="pgc-h-center-line" data-track="127" zhou Enlai talked about >: China decided to abandon its claim against Japan</h1>
The restoration of diplomatic relations between China and Japan and the signing of a joint declaration have made claims against Japan a very crucial issue.
Over the past hundred years or so, Japanese imperialist aggression has caused great harm to China. China's claim is also reasonable.
In fact, since the end of World War II, China has never given up its claims against Japan.
In September 1951, under the leadership of the United States, 52 countries held a speech and parliament to Japan in San Francisco, and before the conference, the Soviet Union, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia refused to sign the peace treaty because the United States refused to invite the People's Republic of China to participate as a representative of China.
The Soviet Union, the Czech Republic, and other countries offered to invite the People's Republic of China to participate in the meeting as a representative of the people's republic of China, while the United States advocated inviting the Kuomintang government in Taiwan.
Out of compromise, the United States and the Soviet Union each took a step back, that is, they were not invited.
After the end of World War II, various countries that had been invaded by Japan made claims against Japan, and the amount was not low. However, under the leadership of the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, the Netherlands, and Australia all gave up their intention to claim compensation from Japan, and only some small countries in Southeast Asia submitted compensation applications.
Photo| Signing of the Sino-Japanese Joint Declaration by Premier Zhou Enlai and Kakuei Tanaka in Beijing on September 29, 1972
From the 1950s to the 1960s, Japan and various small countries in Southeast Asia successively reached compensation agreements, because Japan's economy and industrial system were destroyed after World War II, and the reparations were certainly unaffordable, so some of them could only be compensated with machinery and equipment.
Since 1947, 54% of the more than 40,000 machines shipped from Japan have been transported to China, including the "Changzhi" ship of the Kuomintang Navy and the "Uji" warship compensated by Japan.
After the Kuomintang government retreated to Taiwan, it abandoned its claim against Japan in order to win financial assistance from the United States.
The People's Republic of China has never waived its claim, which is said to amount to $50 billion.
There is no doubt that even if China were to claim a claim, it would be reasonable and legal.
Unexpectedly, however, in the Sino-Japanese Joint Declaration signed, the claim against Japan was described as follows:
"The Government of the People's Republic of China declares that it has renounced its demand for war reparations against Japan for the sake of friendly relations between the Chinese and Japanese peoples."
"This is the decision of the chairman not to claim compensation from Japan."
Regarding the renunciation of compensation for Japan, Premier Zhou compared his heart to heart and said the following paragraph:
"Why not claim it? In fact, because China has also suffered from reparations, the reparations are taken from the pockets of the people. “
Photo| Premier Zhou met with Kakuei Tanaka
"For example, Gengzi's indemnity is 130,370,000 taels. Each Chinese gengzi reparations were apportioned about one or two pieces of silver, which was actually equivalent to increasing the burden on the common people. From this point of view, it is felt that post-war Japan also rebuilt from the ruins of the war and redeveloped its economy, although by the time China and Japan established diplomatic relations in 1972, their economy had begun to improve. But after all, the indemnity must be taken out of the pockets of the Japanese people, which is to increase the taxes of the people. ”
In addition to considering for the Japanese people, Premier Zhou also mentioned a key factor.
In fact, most of Japan's war reparations to the outside world are actually based on materials, because after World War II, Japan's economic and industrial system has been completely destroyed, and there is no power to pay off debts, and even if it can be compensated, it is not to compensate for the latest things.
"For example, the railway is not new, it is all about re-brushing the old things, repairing and repairing them." People pay you for the old stuff. From this point of view, shoddy charging to you is not much fun. ”
The Chairman therefore decided not to pay any compensation.
<h1 class="pgc-h-center-line" data-track="116" > Kakuei Tanaka's "concerns."</h1>
Tanaka Kakuei's visit to China was burdened with a lot of psychological pressure.
Even when sino-Japanese diplomatic relations are irreversible, there are still many differences between China and Japan, in addition to the issue of reparations, for example, there is a relatively in-depth issue, that is, the Taiwan issue.
Although there have been people-to-people exchanges between China and Japan for many years, Japan is completely unaware of the situation in Chinese mainland.
For Taiwan, Japan is very familiar.
In 1952, at the request of the United States, Japan signed the "China-Japan Peace Treaty" with the Kuomintang government in Taiwan, and after abandoning its claim against Japan, Japan and Taiwan maintained economic exchanges for many years.
Whether it is the Japanese government or the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party, there are many "pro-Taiwan factions."
Pictured| Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka met with Liao Chengzhi, president of the China-Japan Friendship Association, at the Prime Minister's official residence
If Tanaka Kakuei wants to have peaceful exchanges between China and Japan, he must follow one principle, that is, the one-China principle, and the Taiwan issue belongs to China's internal affairs.
Weighing the pros and cons, Tanaka Kakuei decided to sever so-called diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which undoubtedly had considerable courage.
In the Sino-Japanese Joint Declaration, which was later signed, the second article reads:
"Japan recognizes the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government representing the Chinese people."
After the signing of the Sino-Japanese Joint Declaration, the Japanese side announced by Foreign Minister Masayoshi Odaira that the Japan-Taiwan Treaty would be abrogated.
That is to say, after the Sino-Japanese joint statement and the unanimous proposal on the Taiwan issue and the issue of war reparations were reached, Chairman Mao decided to meet with Kakuei Tanaka.
About to meet Chairman Mao, Tanaka Kakuei looked unusually nervous, just entered the door and wanted to go to the bathroom, after the two sat down, Tanaka Kakuei had a restrained look.
Chairman Mao first welcomed Tanaka's arrival, and then said humorously: "Are you done arguing?"
"It's over, it's over."
Kakuei Tanaka hurriedly said a word, and the atmosphere of speaking calmed down.
Pictured| Chairman Mao shake hands with Kakuei Tanaka
Before leaving that evening, Chairman Mao took a set of "Chu Ci" from the bookshelf and gave it to Tanaka and told him: "Qu Yuan is the representative of The Chinese Chu Ci and is also a famous patriotic poet in our ancient times. This book has a lot of usage and explanation of Chinese words, which can make you better understand China. ”
Premier Zhou also instructed the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to give Tanaka two boxes of 48 bottles of Moutai wine, and the news of the two heads of state drinking Moutai wine spread throughout Japan at once, causing the price of Moutai wine to rise three or four times in Japan.
Kakuei Tanaka has made a great contribution to promoting Sino-Japanese exchanges, but he himself has also been under considerable pressure.
Tanaka Kakuei's daughter, Makiko Tanaka, recalls:
"I am the only daughter in the family. My father once said that if he became a member of Congress, he would take me all over the world. I did follow my father to See Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom, president Kennedy of the United States, and Margaret Thatcher of the United Kingdom. But he didn't take me when he went to China. ”
She also asked her father, "Why don't you take me?" ”
Kakuei Tanaka replied solemnly, I can take you to any country, but I can't take you to China, because going to China may be assassinated by assassins in Japan or Taiwan.
"Makiko, I can't take you to Beijing this time." But I will definitely usher in an era when you can go to Beijing freely. In order to achieve this goal, I can not be a politician, I can put my life and death at the risk of death, which is also the mission of my cabinet. There is only one daughter like you in our family, and if you have any accidents, our family will be cut off. That's why I can't take you. ”
Even after returning to China, Tanaka Kakuei suffered many hardships, and when attending the LDP congress, some "pro-Taiwan factions" asked: "Why do you want to join forces with the Communist Party?" How can diplomatic relations with Taiwan be severed? That's too much. ”
Picture | Chairman Mao presents Tanaka Kakuei's "Chu Ci"
Some people even proposed that Tanaka Kakuei resign as a member of parliament and commit suicide by caesarean section.
But even so, Tanaka Kakuei never gave in, and he never regretted it, after returning from China, Tanaka once said to his daughter in a slightly apologetic tone: "I really should take you to Beijing!" You should be taken to see Chairman Mao and Zhou Enlai! ”
For Chairman Mao and Premier Zhou, Tanaka Kakuei also paid special attention to them, saying that they were very good politicians.
Similarly, Premier Zhou also has great respect for Tanaka Kakuei, knowing that normal diplomatic relations between China and Japan have been interrupted for nearly half a century, but after Tanaka Kakuei came to power, it took less than three months to complete a series of feats, which seems incredible to many people. Tanaka took a historic step, and Premier Zhou commented that if someone else became the prime minister of Japan, he might not have the courage to establish diplomatic relations with China before the United States.
When Premier Zhou met with the Japanese guests, he once again mentioned Kakuei Tanaka:
"Mr. Tanaka's decision to restore diplomatic relations as soon as he took office is remarkable, commendable, and braver than Nixon."