100 Reasons: For Japan and China

Author: Hu Ping
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-10-01
Features: When it comes to Japan, the Chinese people indeed find it difficult to remain calm and composed. They are often filled with fervent emotions. However, without a rational dam, this passion can become a raging flood, spreading uncontrollably and ultimately destroying everything, including their own homeland. Hu Ping's 100 Reasons is both passionate and rational, a "perfect combination" of reason and emotion." — Renowned scholar, researcher at the Institute of Modern History, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Lei Yu Many books on the War of Resistance Against Japan, as well as recent CCTV programs, have kept our attention fixed on the pain and cruelty of war. Hu Ping's book, however, guides our gaze deeper into the hearts of the Japanese people. It explores the deeper structures of Japanese national character and the cultural differences between China and Japan to seek the root causes of the human tragedy. This is even more important for humanity to better understand its own sins and prevent such tragedies from recurring." — Renowned economist, macro-strategy department head at the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission Research Center, professor at the School of Economics and Management, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Zhao Xiao Where is the secret of China-Japan relations? At least since the past 140 years, China has been responding to Japan. Japan is not just a mirror for China but also a symbol of shame. Is China not Japan's rival? Is Japan not China's future? There are thousands of ways to interpret Japan, but which one is the most accurate? Regarding China-Japan relations, we have tried thousands of remedies, but which one can truly cure the illness?" — Shi Yonggang, executive editor of Hong Kong's Phoenix Weekly, renowned book planner We have a hundred reasons to hate Japan—it brought humiliation and war to our nation in history, and continues to pose challenges and troubles in reality. But we cannot ignore the thousand-year-old entanglement and intertwined cultural bloodlines between our two countries, nor the economic interdependence. Nor can we overlook the diligence and resilience of the Japanese people, their strong national strength, and their dazzling modernization achievements. Of course, we must remain vigilant against Japan's expanding ambitions and the aggressive mentality of its people. On the other hand, we should also reflect on and critique ourselves: we lack a deep love for our nation and country, we lack courage, we have lost confidence, and we have forgotten both the suffering and the victories of our nation. On a deeper and broader level, both China and Japan must cross each other's threshold to become mature modernized nations.