The Cairo Declaration not only determined Japan's postwar territorial boundaries, it also sought to end Japan's imperialism and militarism. The Cairo Declaration has binding force stemming from historical legitimacy. The Cairo Declaration is the source in law of Japan's Instrument of Surrender, and Article 98 of the Constitution of Japan explicitly stipulates that the treaties concluded by Japan and established laws of nations shall be faithfully observed.

As China marks the 70th anniversary of the Cairo Declaration, the document is still of great significance, as not only does it identify China's ownership of Taiwan and its affiliated islands, including the Diaoyu Islands, therefore serving as the legal guardian for China to safeguard the sovereignty of the Diaoyu Islands, it is also a landmark document that recognizes the Chinese nation's awakening and struggle to victory in WWII.

Today, China is seeking to build a new type of relations between major powers and engaging in periphery diplomacy to strengthen relations with its neighbors. The spirit and principles of the Cairo Declaration should be defended and practiced with the purpose of maintaining world peace and development. Therefore, China has been urging the Japanese to face up to history and faithfully honor the commitments it made at the end of WWII. China also hopes that the major powers setting the goals for the postwar world order can responsibly abide by the terms of the Cairo Declaration and ensure its implementation.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his government seek to turn back the clock and regain what they see as Japan's powerful nationhood, and are trying to build up its military muscle again. But to speed up its military buildup, Japan must first revise its pacifist Constitution. So to overturn and deny the international verdict on its aggressive and militarist past Japan is openly distorting history. The provocative remarks and actions of Japan's ultra-conservative group should serve as a wake-up call to the world.

The Japanese government's intransigent stance that there is no dispute over the Diaoyu Islands and its denial of other historical truths have seriously damaged Sino-Japanese relations. The crux of the problem is the two-faced tactics being employed by Abe and his cabinet in its policy toward China place constraints on China's endeavors to maintain and promote friendly ties. Japan must change its stance if relations are to get back on track.

To improve bilateral relations and prevent the good feelings between the two peoples from fading away has become an urgent task.

The author is deputy director of the Institute of Japanese Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

(China Daily 12/06/2013 page8)