In a keynote speech at Davos, Switzerland on Jan. 22, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe compared the Sino-Japanese relationship to British-German ties before World War I This view is not only misguided, but dangerous.
Firstly, the current international system has nothing in common with the situation before World War I. No mechanism had been established to arbitrate international disputes, so wars were a common resort. Peace and development are the main themes of our era, and most countries tend to turn to law and negotiations when solving disputes. Japan's conduct runs contrary to the trend of the times.
Secondly, Sino-Japanese ties are essentially different from that of Britain and Germany before World War I. As an emerging power, Germany wanted to challenge Britain's world domination. Japan bears no resemblance to Britain before World War I in international status, and China, as one of the founders of the post-war international order and one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, will always stick to its principle of peaceful rise, which it has no intention to change.
Thirdly, the two countries’ current strategic choices indicate that Abe’s argument confuses right and wrong. Before World War I Germany initiated a naval arms race with Britain, intending to overturn the international system dominated by Britain and take her place. If anything, it is Japan that now plays the role of German aggressor. The real motive is to normalize the country's historical wrongs and at the same time challenge the post-war international order.
Fourthly, the troublemaker in Asian and international relations is very clear. Militarism is on the upswing in Japan, so words such as Abe’s should invite close scrutiny from the international community.
Unless action is taken to set Ade back on the straight and narrow, he will certainly break the limitations of the pacifist constitution and eventually endanger regional and international peace.
The article is edited and translated from《警惕安倍“贼喊捉贼”》, source: People's Daily Overseas Edition, author: Jin Cairong, Wang Hao.