Diaoyu Island is Chinese territory. As early as the Southern Song Dynasty, it was under the jurisdiction of Fujian Province. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it was assigned to the jurisdiction of Taiwan. However, just when Sino-Japanese relations were becoming friendly, at a

Diaoyu Island is a territory of China. As early as the Southern Song Dynasty, it was under the jurisdiction of Fujian Province. In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it was assigned to the jurisdiction of Taiwan. Therefore, the Diaoyu Islands have never been a "disputed" place. They are indeed our country's territory.

Today, we have a "dispute" with Japan over the ownership of the Diaoyu Islands. That is entirely a unilateral provocation by Japan. They are trying to occupy the Diaoyu Islands, and we will not let them succeed.

As early as 1978, during Deng Xiaoping’s visit to Japan, Japanese reporters made things difficult for Deng on the spot and asked: To which country does the Diaoyu Islands belong? Faced with this sudden problem, how did Mr. Deng resolve it?

The history of hatred between China and Japan

During the Anti-Japanese War , Japanese imperialism invaded our country, causing 35 million casualties. This was a blood debt and a history of humiliation for our country. There are differences between China and Japan. Hateful.

After the founding of New China, our country did not have formal diplomatic relations with Japan for a long time because Japan was a "pawn" of the United States. After Deng Xiaoping's comeback, he focused on national development. After more than 20 years of joint efforts between China and Japan, the relationship between China and Japan has changed from hostility to friendship.

In October 1978, Deng Xiaoping was invited to visit Japan and started his trip to Japan. Deng Xiaoping's visit to Japan is of great significance, marking that the relations between China and Japan are about to enter a new situation.

However, just when Sino-Japanese relations were becoming friendly, at a press conference, a Japanese reporter did not know for what purpose, perhaps intentionally to undermine the relationship between the two countries, and asked Deng Gong directly: Do you think the Diaoyu Islands belong to China or the Diaoyu Islands? Japan?

The Japanese journalist’s question was very pointed, especially during the period when Deng Xiaoping visited Japan for the first time and the two countries were repairing relations. If Deng Xiaoping had directly answered that the Diaoyu Islands belong to China, would it have caused extreme dissatisfaction or opposition from the Japanese present?

This question is like a dead end. No matter what the answer is, it will definitely cause huge controversy and is not conducive to the friendly exchanges between China and Japan. So, how did Deng Xiaoping finally answer? Can this problem be solved successfully? Is it a "dead end"?

How did Deng Xiaoping reply to Japanese reporters?

Regarding when the Diaoyu Islands began to "connect" with Japan, we have to start from the late Qing Dynasty. The Qing government was defeated in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1896 and was forced to cede territory and sue for peace. It ceded Taiwan and its affiliated islands to Japan, including the Diaoyu Islands.

After the end of World War II , Japan, as a defeated country, returned Taiwan and its affiliated islands to China. After the founding of New China, we fought the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea with the United States, and the two sides were in a state of hostility.

The United States relied on its naval superiority to forcibly station its troops on the Ryukyu Islands, targeting our country. Out of hatred for the new Chinese regime, the United States added the Diaoyu Islands to the Ryukyu Islands and gave them to Japan. In the face of various evil deeds by the United States, we made serious representations. However, as the country was weak at the time, the United States pushed the Diaoyu Islands issue to Japan and asked my country to negotiate with Japan.

Therefore, the "disputed" issue of the Diaoyu Islands has arisen. It can be said that this is a conflict created by the United States and hinders friendly exchanges between New China and Japan. During Tanaka Kakuei's visit to China in 1972, the Diaoyu Islands issue was also discussed. Premier Zhou said that it could be put on hold for the time being, and Japan also agreed.

In October 1978, Deng Xiaoping was invited to lead a delegation to visit Japan. On that day, Japanese Foreign Minister Sonoda Nao was waiting at the airport early and treated Deng Xiaoping and the delegation with high etiquette standards.

On October 25, Japan arranged a press conference in Tokyo, with Deng Xiaoping sitting in the middle. As early as when China and Japan signed the friendship treaty, the issue of the Diaoyu Islands was put on hold for the time being. This was a tacit understanding between the two sides.

Before holding the press conference, all reporters present at the conference had received instructions not to mention the controversial issue of the Diaoyu Islands. Despite this, there are still people who want to break the rules and raise a sensitive issue.

After the Japanese reporter raised the question, the people present instantly became nervous and looked at Deng Xiaoping, who was sitting in the middle of the rostrum.At this time, Deng Xiaoping was not nervous and seemed very relaxed. After thinking for a few seconds, he slowly said: This issue was not originally mentioned today. Now that it has been mentioned, let me share my opinion.

Then, Deng Xiaoping said: The Diaoyu Islands are called the Senkaku Islands in Japan. They have different names and different views. China and Japan have made an agreement before and will not discuss this issue for the time being. The problems that our current generation of leaders cannot solve now will be left to the next generation who are wiser and can find answers that satisfy both parties.

Obviously, under such circumstances, Deng Xiaoping would not be able to say directly in front of Japanese reporters that the Diaoyu Islands belong to China. This would not only affect the friendly relations between China and Japan that were finally established, but would also violate the agreement between China and Japan at that time. A tacit agreement to put aside the Diaoyu Islands for the time being.

Deng Xiaoping's words were very appropriate and appropriate for the situation at that time. When he said this, the atmosphere at the scene instantly changed from tense to relaxed. In addition, Deng Xiaoping's words have profound meaning. He indirectly expressed China's position of not giving up any ground, and at the same time he also attached great importance to the establishment of Sino-Japanese friendly relations.

Deng Xiaoping was a far-sighted statesman and diplomat who made great contributions to China's reform and opening up. Today, New China has been reforming and opening up for more than 40 years, and progress is visible to the naked eye. All of this is inseparable from Deng Gong's foresight.