Editor's note: On July 3, Liu Xiaojun, the Chinese Consul General in Nagoya, published a signed article titled "High mountains and long rivers, legacy will last" in the local Japanese media "Chongnichi Shimbun".

China’s Consul General in Nagoya, Liu Xiaojun, published a signed article in the Japanese media

Liu Xiaojun

Editor’s note: On July 3, Liu Xiaojun, the Chinese Consul General in Nagoya, published an article titled “High mountains and rivers,” in the local Japanese media "China-Japan Shimbun". Signed article "Legacy of Virtue and Fragrance". now reprints the main content as follows -

html On May 14th, accompanied by drizzle, I came to Fukumitsu Town, Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture to pay homage to the Japanese politician Mr. Matsumura Kenzo and visit the Matsumura Memorial Hall. Mr.

has devoted his whole life to promoting the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan. He is known as the "well digger" of Sino-Japanese friendly relations.

The green pines beside the tombstone are solemn and solemn, silently guarding the monument of the deceased. The precious historical documents and materials in the memorial hall record the arduous process of restoring diplomatic relations between China and Japan, and tell the touching story of Mr. Xi's hard work and dedication to the cause of Sino-Japanese friendship.

In the 1950s, the dark clouds of the Cold War enveloped the world, and official exchanges between China and Japan were isolated. Against this background, in 1959, Mr. Matsumura overcame all obstacles and resolutely visited China at the age of 76, becoming the first conservative politician to visit China after the war. During

's stay in China, he witnessed with his own eyes the vigorous development of New China and strongly felt the necessity of normalizing diplomatic relations between China and Japan.

Mr. Matsumura is good at Go and likes orchid . He makes friends with chess and makes friends with orchid. He has forged deep friendships with the older generation of Chinese leaders and has written a friendly chapter of " Go Diplomacy " and "Orchid Diplomacy".

After returning to China, he still worked tirelessly for the cause of Sino-Japanese friendship, effectively promoted trade and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, and laid a solid foundation for the normalization of diplomatic relations.

"At present, the bond between Japan and China is still very fragile, and we will never let this bond be broken." In 1970, with firm determination to normalize diplomatic relations, the 87-year-old Mr. Matsumura dragged his frail body on his fifth visit to China.

However, after returning from China, his health never improved, and he passed away peacefully in 1971, dedicating his life to the great cause of restoring diplomatic relations between China and Japan.

"Mr.'s style is as high as the mountains as high as the rivers." Mr. Matsumura's tombstone is engraved with a poem written by Guo Moruo, honorary president of the China-Japan Friendship Association. It means that the gentleman's virtue is noble and pure, like a green mountain standing majestically, like a river flowing endlessly.

In the second year after his death, Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka visited China in 1972. The seeds of friendship sown by Mr. took root and sprouted, and the long-cherished wish to normalize diplomatic relations between China and Japan was finally realized.

China-Japan relations have gone through half a century of ups and downs, and exchanges and cooperation in various fields have experienced qualitative leaps. Today, 50 years later, the world has entered a new period of turbulence and change. China-Japan relations are facing a complex and severe situation and are once again standing at the crossroads of history.

For this reason, we must revisit our original intention of normalizing diplomatic relations and draw the wisdom and courage to move forward from Mr. Matsumura and other friendly people of the older generation.

"Without sincere cooperation between Japan and China, there will be no sustainable peace in Asia." This is Mr. Matsumura Kenzo's belief. There are successors, and great ambitions must be fulfilled. Let us inherit the legacy of our ancestors, join hands, and move forward courageously to open up a bright future for China-Japan relations in the new era and create a bright future of peace, stability, prosperity and development in Asia.

Source: Chinese Consulate General in Nagoya

( released: East Asia Information Network; Editor: Chai Ge)