Abe should rebuild mutual trust with China

TOKYO - While the conservative Liberal Democratic Party's leader Shinzo Abe reclaimed the post of Japanese prime minister Wednesday, it is hoped that he could step up rebuilding mutual trust with China so as to relieve tensions between the two countries.

Relations have soured for months between China and Japan but the deadlock has had no sign of unlocking so far because of Abe's tough stance on territorial disputes, his indication of visiting the notorious Yasukuni Shrine and pledge of revising Japan's pacifist constitution.

Although Abe said he will mend the fences with China immediately after his party won the general election, restoring mutual trust remains a real challenge to Abe's diplomatic wisdom as his double-tongued statements have no help to do so, but cast a shadow of suspicions over China-Japan relations.

For Abe, it needs to be aware that pandering to right-wing politicians domestically will undoubtedly pose huge obstacles to his foreign policies because the right-leaning policies will further hurt feelings of its neighboring countries that suffered from Japan's invasion in the WWII.

The major obstruction in the China-Japan relations is Japan's attitude toward history. It requires Abe to face up to the root of current stalemate and refrain from taking further defiant actions. Reflecting on history serves the only way for Japan to peacefully co-exist with its neighboring countries.

In fact, Abe said that China is "an indispensable partner of Japan's economic growth." Therefore, it needs Tokyo to show its sincerity to relieve the tensions stirred up by itself.

Actually, an economic surging China, which is Japan's largest trade partner and export market, means more of an opportunity than a threat for Japan. Both sides share much complementary economies that will consequentially lead to tangible win-win results, particularly for Japan's export-reliant economy.

Rebuilding mutual trust between China and Japan is the foundation for Abe to revitalize bilateral strategic and mutually beneficial relations. Common interests and mutual benefits should base on a solid mutual trust. Otherwise, win-win results between the two countries will lose their anchor.

As the interests of the two countries have interwoven profoundly, a sound China-Japan relationship, for Abe, will also play a significant role in Japan's economic recovery, which is a key to restore confidence and appease political turmoil in the country.

History has repeatedly shown that peace between China and Japan serves the two countries' interests, while hostility harms both countries and their people.

It is hoped that Abe could be more pragmatic in foreign policies in order to break the ice between China and Japan when it has not yet thickened and to improve mutual trust with cogent actions so as to realize the essentials of the bilateral strategic and mutually beneficial relations.