日中関係

Since I was born in Hong Kong, I will tell you more about the situation there. I can proudly say that the education system in Hong Kong is largely devoid of bias. There are no poems about British greatness that I have to sing in every day's class.There are no passages that depict mainland China and Taiwan as "utopia" or "paradises." In fact, the history textbooks told us very unbiasedly about China's recent achievements and deficiencies. I can say that if you ask an average Hong Konger on thestreet, he or she can tell you relatively unbiasedly the merits and shortcomings of the Communist government in China. But of course there are always those who tend to be more emotional because of their past history. Regarding what was taught about Japan,it was pretty unbiased in terms of citing actual facts about the Meiji Reforms, the War from 1937-1945, and so on. There are no slogans, such as "Down with Japanese Militarism," that we must shout in class. However, when you merely read the facts aboutChina's weaknesses and acts of the Japanese army, one can't help holding back one's tears and ask why it happened. I am one of those who wants to find out the reason and devote my energy to improve things on the motherland later. (Aside, many people saythat Hong Kong people are indifferent about China, but I think that is a wrong generalization. There are many of those who want to see a prosperous China but the way they express may not be very good, for example: merely criticizing) As for education inmainland China, you would have to tell me more about that.

I think that no Chinese politician would dare to take a soft stance on Japan before Japan makes some kind of "right" response to its past. The whole issue has become so complicated that it isno longer a mere issue of researching facts. It is the same as the Taiwan issue. Even if some high-ranking officials want to let Taiwan go, they cannot do it since they are not in a position to do that. I have no doubt that many Chinese readers knewabout the deficiencies of China in the past. However, what you see them doing and saying does not necessarily reflect what they are thinking. Unless you are close to the decising-making apparatus of the Chinese government, there is virtually no way you'regoing to know all the underlying reasons and intentions of what they say and do. Henry Kissinger has once said, "Real diplomacy takes place behind the doors." < ---- I forgot the exact wording,but the meaning is the same.