Taking history as a mirror, we can know the rise and fall. The present situation of Sino-Japanese relations is largely related to the history of Sino-Japanese relations, and "taking history as a mirror" has become the basis and premise for handling Sino-Japanese relations. During the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, China took "taking history as a mirror and facing the future" as the basic principle guiding Sino-Japanese relations. Taking history as a mirror, that is, the history of Sino-Japanese relations, how to understand and treat the history of Sino-Japanese relations and find lessons from it will be a historical topic and practical task that the two peoples must complete.
When it comes to the history of Sino-Japanese relations, the Sino-Japanese Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 and the Japanese war of aggression against China are vivid and unforgettable. It is no wonder that when people mention "taking history as a mirror" in Sino-Japanese relations, they will naturally think of this history and raise it to the strategic height of national dignity and national honor and disgrace. There is nothing wrong with understanding the history of Sino-Japanese relations in this way, but it is not comprehensive and correct. Premier Zhou Enlai used ten words to explain the history of Sino-Japanese relations, that is, "two thousand years of friendship and fifty years of opposition". "Two thousand years of friendship and fifty years of opposition" is the most comprehensive and accurate explanation and expression in the history of Sino-Japanese relations. Sino-Japanese relations, from a historical perspective, friendship is long-term and opposition is short-lived; Friendship is the mainstream of history, and opposition is a "difficult and bitter" page in the mainstream of history. It is not comprehensive to see only the "50-year opposition" and ignore the "2000 friendship", or to see only the "2000 friendship" and ignore the "50-year opposition", and it will lead to wrong or even harmful conclusions.
"Two thousand years of friendship" has brought long-term peace and development to China and Japan. The exchanges between China and Japan can be traced back to the Han Dynasty more than two thousand years ago. The Tang Dynasty was the peak of cultural exchange between the two countries. Japanese envoys gathered in Chang 'an, and Jian Zhen monks crossed Japan. During the long communication process, China culture was spread and Japanese culture developed rapidly. In the geographical relationship separated by a strip of water, oriental cultural concepts and social structures with many similar factors have gradually formed. Even in modern times, the "Reform Movement of 1898" and the "Meiji Restoration" initiated by the two countries to promote social development fully demonstrated the "similarity" between the two countries in their own social development cycles and rhythms. "Two thousand years of friendship" has enabled the two peoples to enjoy peaceful diplomatic relations, mutual cultural nutrition and the fruits of social civilization for a long time. Even after the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, Sun Yat-sen, Lu Xun, Guo Moruo, Zhou Enlai and others still traveled between China and Japan for the needs of the revolution and friendship between the two countries. The history of "two thousand years of friendship" proves that "harmony is precious, and harmony is beneficial to both", and harmony is born and wins.
The "50-year opposition" has broken Sino-Japanese relations and brought the society to a standstill. After the Meiji Restoration, Japan, supported by its rapid and powerful national strength, forgot the historical tradition of friendship between the two countries for two thousand years, expanded its ambitions, and brazenly provoked the Sino-Japanese Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, which humiliated the Japanese people. Decades later, in the war of aggression against China, Japanese militarism committed heinous crimes on the wounds of the people of China. The two wars broke out in half a century, which instantly destroyed the wealth created by generations of the two countries, broke the historical tradition of "two thousand years of friendship" between the two countries at once, and made the two peoples lose peace and stability, suffering from war and war trauma. The two wars made China's society retrogress, the country split, the Japanese prosperity instantly turned into ruins, and the national sovereignty was restricted. The history of "fifty years of opposition" proves that "fighting will hurt two", opposition will inevitably fail and war will inevitably fail.
If the history of Sino-Japanese relations is "two thousand years of friendship and fifty years of opposition", it can only prove that the civilized wisdom of "peace is beneficial and fighting is harmful" is obviously not comprehensive. What is the key to "two thousand years of friendship" and "fifty years of opposition"? Today, people must seriously sum up. The key to "two thousand years of friendship" lies in China. In the history of "two thousand years of friendship", China has always been in the leading position, but China did not use its leading position to expand to Japan, let alone wage war, but adhered to the national tradition of good-neighborliness and friendship, and the result was beneficial to itself and others. The key to the "50-year opposition" lies in Japan. Before and after the "50-year opposition" history, Japan developed faster and stronger than China. After Japan's leading development, there is nothing to hide. Its ambitions are expanding and expanding outward, harming others and not benefiting itself. How to treat and treat one's leadership position and one's status as a big country, the correct way is: leadership does not seek hegemony, strength does not expand; Leaders don't forget good neighbors, and strong needs friends.