History is Written by the Victors
It's interesting that China's foreign policy has evolved into a more accommodating stance for all countries, with exception of the US, Japan, and Taiwan. Surprisingly, amongst the three, Japan is the biggest "hot button" issue due to historical tensions between the two countries (especially given humiliation from the Sino-Japanese War and devastation from World War II atrocities). A Chinese citizen measured the intensity of his feelings by stating, "I would like to donate one month's salary if our army fought against Taiwan. I would like to donate one year's salary if our army fought against America. I would like to donate my life if our army fought against Japan."
Emotions run high in China when it comes to Japan. In fact, riots broke out all over China when Prime Minister Koizumi decided to make annual visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japanese soldiers that died during World War II, many of whom were tried as war criminals for persecuting Chinese during the Nanjing Massacre (where some 200,000 Chinese were killed and 20,000 women were raped). To show their outrage for past events, Chinese today refer to their toilets as Yasukuni Shrines. In another recent incident, a magazine fashion spread featuring a Chinese actress wearing a short dress with a large imperial Japanese flag printed on it sparked a media frenzy. Protesters smashed the actress' house with bricks and bottles. The actress apologized; nevertheless, at a New Year's party, an enraged man still accosted her and smeared excrement all over her.
What is the source of this hatred? Perhaps the way historical events are portrayed within these countries helps to explain why they harbor such intense feelings towards each other.
In China, it was low point in history when a small island in the South Pacific (Japan) defeated their great nation during the Sino Japanese War. Later on, that small island even occupied China for a brief period. To add to injury, the Nanjing Massacre (which is sometimes referred to as the Rape of Nanjing) is equivalent of the Holocaust for the Jewish in Germany.
In Japan, history books generally gloss over the Nanjing Massacre as a non-event. More emphasis is placed on the human suffering caused by the American nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, with hardly any mention of the Japanese attack over Pearl Harbor, which provoked it. In fact, students visiting museums are often surprised to hear that Americans suffered casualties during World War II and many aren't familiar with the Nanjing Massacre at all. In short, students generally study a "white-washed" version of history, which glorifies the rise of Japan as an economic power. It's no wonder that today's Japanese feel unfairly victimized, to the point where there has been some talk of reversing Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution, which limits their military to peacekeeping forces.
It just goes to show you that history is told "in the eye of its beholder" - which can often times be problematic. And here's another thought for the day - when it comes to China, the media often places emphasis on its imperial ambitions towards Taiwan. However, could there be another war in waiting, that's even more pressing on the horizon? Only time will tell...
Emotions run high in China when it comes to Japan. In fact, riots broke out all over China when Prime Minister Koizumi decided to make annual visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japanese soldiers that died during World War II, many of whom were tried as war criminals for persecuting Chinese during the Nanjing Massacre (where some 200,000 Chinese were killed and 20,000 women were raped). To show their outrage for past events, Chinese today refer to their toilets as Yasukuni Shrines. In another recent incident, a magazine fashion spread featuring a Chinese actress wearing a short dress with a large imperial Japanese flag printed on it sparked a media frenzy. Protesters smashed the actress' house with bricks and bottles. The actress apologized; nevertheless, at a New Year's party, an enraged man still accosted her and smeared excrement all over her.
What is the source of this hatred? Perhaps the way historical events are portrayed within these countries helps to explain why they harbor such intense feelings towards each other.
In China, it was low point in history when a small island in the South Pacific (Japan) defeated their great nation during the Sino Japanese War. Later on, that small island even occupied China for a brief period. To add to injury, the Nanjing Massacre (which is sometimes referred to as the Rape of Nanjing) is equivalent of the Holocaust for the Jewish in Germany.
In Japan, history books generally gloss over the Nanjing Massacre as a non-event. More emphasis is placed on the human suffering caused by the American nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, with hardly any mention of the Japanese attack over Pearl Harbor, which provoked it. In fact, students visiting museums are often surprised to hear that Americans suffered casualties during World War II and many aren't familiar with the Nanjing Massacre at all. In short, students generally study a "white-washed" version of history, which glorifies the rise of Japan as an economic power. It's no wonder that today's Japanese feel unfairly victimized, to the point where there has been some talk of reversing Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution, which limits their military to peacekeeping forces.
It just goes to show you that history is told "in the eye of its beholder" - which can often times be problematic. And here's another thought for the day - when it comes to China, the media often places emphasis on its imperial ambitions towards Taiwan. However, could there be another war in waiting, that's even more pressing on the horizon? Only time will tell...
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