People’s Daily: From August 14 to 15, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Myanmar. Could you share more details with us?
Lin Jian: During the visit, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met respectively with Myanmar’s leader Min Aung Hlaing and former Chairman of the Myanmar State Peace and Development Council Than Shwe, and held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China and Myanmar are neighbors connected by shared mountains and rivers, and our peoples enjoy deep “pauk-phaw” friendship. Both China and Myanmar uphold the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, which have become basic norms in international relations and fundamental principles of international law. No matter how the international landscape evolves, the two sides have consistently carried forward the spirit of the Five Principles, and made steady progress in building the China-Myanmar community with a shared future. Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed that China firmly supports Myanmar in upholding independence, sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity, in striving for peace and stability at home and growing its economy, in implementing the new five-point roadmap under the framework of Myanmar’s constitution, and in achieving political reconciliation and resuming the democratic transition process at an early date. As Myanmar’s friend and neighbor, China firmly opposes turmoil or conflict in Myanmar, opposes any external interference and infiltration targeting Myanmar, opposes any words or actions that undermine Myanmar’s stability and development, and opposes any thing said or done aimed at sowing discord between China and Myanmar and smear and vilify China.
The Myanmar side noted that Myanmar highly values its relations with China. Myanmar remains committed to growing the friendship with China, firmly upholds the one-China principle, and is willing to forever be a friend and neighbor that China can trust. Myanmar commends China’s remarkable development achievements, appreciates China’s valuable support and assistance over the years, and in particular, China’s constructive role in helping advance the peace talks concerning northern Myanmar, and hopes that China will continue to support Myanmar in dealing with external interference, ensuring domestic stability and realizing political reconciliation.
The two sides agreed to focus on deepening the building of the China-Myanmar community with a shared future, advance Belt and Road cooperation, and implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. The two sides agreed to accelerate the implementation of major projects under the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, and ensure that the China-Myanmar oil and gas pipeline runs smoothly. They also agreed to step up joint effort to combat cross-border crimes such as online gambling and telecom fraud, do everything possible to protect the safety and security of Chinese personnel and projects in Myanmar, and keep the China-Myanmar border areas peaceful and stable. The two sides agreed to hold a number of celebration events to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year to consolidate the public foundation for friendship.
Both sides vowed to implement well the important common understandings reached at the fourth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting, stay committed to building a community with a shared future among Lancang-Mekong countries, deliver more good results through Lancang-Mekong cooperation, and jointly make steady progress in development and drive regional integration.
Kyodo News: It’s reported that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on August 15 made a “tamagushi” ritual offering to the Yasukuni Shrine in the capacity of the President of the Liberal Democratic Party. Cabinet members such as Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and Minister in charge of Economic Revitalization Yoshitaka Shindo as well as some members of the National Diet paid respects to the Shrine. What’s China’s comment? Will China protest to Japan about their visit?
Lin Jian: Seventy-nine years ago today, Japan accepted the Potsdam Proclamation and announced unconditional surrender. The Chinese people, together with the people of the world, defeated the Japanese militarist aggressors and fascism. It was a decisive battle between justice and evil, between light and darkness, and between progress and reaction. This great victory, a historic moment, deserves to be remembered by the world.
The Yasukuni Shrine, where World War II Class-A war criminals are honored, is a spiritual tool and symbol of the wars of aggression waged by Japanese militarists. What some Japanese political leaders did on the issue of the Yasukuni Shrine once again reveals an erroneous attitude towards historical issues. The Chinese side has lodged serious protests to the Japanese side and stated our just position.
Facing up to and deeply reflecting on the history of aggression is an essential prerequisite for Japan to establish and develop friendship and cooperation with its Asian neighbors after World War II. We emphasize the need to remember the lessons of history not to continue hatred, but to use history as a mirror, uphold peace and look to the future. China urges Japan to honor its commitment of recognizing and reflecting on its history of aggression, stay prudent on historical issues such as the issue of the Yasukuni Shrine, make a clean break with militarism, stick to the path of peaceful development, and take concrete actions to earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community.
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