JCP CC Chair comments on CPC 80th founding anniversary in an interview with Guangming Daily

Japanese Communist Party Central Committee Chair Fuwa Tetsuzo in an interview with China's Guangming Daily commented on the 80th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of China. The interview was reported by Guangming Daily of June 30. Following are Fuwa's remarks as reported by Akahata of July 4:

In the interview, Fuwa congratulated the CPC on its 80th founding
anniversary, recalling the firm friendship and solidarity which the JCP and the CPC developed in their quest for peace in Asia, in particular in the struggle against Japanese militarism's aggression in China since the Manchurian Incident which occurred soon after the founding of the CPC. He said that JCP-CPC relations have historical importance.

Mentioning that JCP-CPC relations were severed by the Mao Zedong group which started attacks on and interference with the JCP by defining the JCP as a common enemy of the two peoples during the "Great Cultural Revolution," Fuwa said that in 1998, the JCP and the CPC reached an agreement to normalize their relations after an interval of more than 30 years. Fuwa said that the CPC at the time was sincere in correcting its past mistakes and that he was impressed by the CPC's willingness to acknowledge the CPC's wrongdoing in the past. He also said that the CPC's seriousness was in sharp contrast with the former Communist Party of the Soviet Union in that the CPSU admitted its error of interfering in the JCP but tried to conceal the fact from its the people as much as possible.

Fuwa noted that the determination of the CPC leadership brought about a historic change in JCP-CPC relations and said that he was glad to see this new relationship helping develop people-to-people exchanges.

The JCP CC chair said that through his meetings with CPC General
Secretary Jiang Zemin (president of the state) and Standing Politburo member Hu Jintao (vice president of the state), the two parties have built a relationship allowing them to exchange opinions in a frank manner.

Asked about China's future, Fuwa said he sets great importance as an
economic strategy to a "socialist market economy" which China is aiming for. He interpreted the Chinese policy into his own words as a plan to create "socialism well versed in the market economy." He said China's attempt attain this goal is a new challenge in history and has international significance.

On political questions he reiterated what he related in the JCP-CPC
summit talks three years ago, that in the long run, for a social system to be firmly built in society with stability, it is necessary to deal with verbal criticism of the system with speeches, not by a ban on criticisms.

In relation to China's international role, Fuwa said he expects China,
which is influential as a United Nations Security Council permanent member, to work toward achieving the greater goals of eliminating nuclear weapons and abolishing military alliances as well as building an international order of peace which does not allow acts of aggression, intervention, and hegemony.

Asked about a perspective for peace in the 21st century, Fuwa said that Japan-China relations will have increasing importance in Asia in the 21st century. In particular, Fuwa referred to the "Five Principles for Japan-China Relations" which he proposed in the 1998 JCP-CPC summit talks. Fuwa pointed out that it is particularly important for Japan to abide by the first item (Japan has to closely reflect on its war of aggression) and the second item (Japan should maintain a"One China" principle in international relations.Abiding by these principles will help settle the questions which recently arose between the two countries, including the prime minister's planned official visit to Yasukuni Shrine, the controversial history textbook, and the issue over Taiwan.

Fuwa reiterated the JCP's opposition to the use by Japan of the right of collective self-defense which Prime Minister Jun'ichiro Koizumi is calling for and the Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation. Citing the latest opinion poll by Asahi Shimbun, Fuwa said that an overwhelming majority of the Japanese people want Article 9 of the Constitution to be defended. There are hawkish forces in Japan, he said, but emphasized the presence of public opinion reflected in movements and struggles in opposition to the revision of Article 9. Referring to the rise of hawkish people like Prime Minister Koizumi, Fuwa said that though it may cause concern in China, Japan will not follow the scenarios which the hawks put forward.

On the Taiwan question, Fuwa noted that the Chinese government has
created a new definition that the continent and Taiwan together comprise one China based on remarks made by Chinese vice premier Qian Qichen in a recent conference in China on propaganda operations for Taiwan. Saying that it represents a development in China's policy toward respecting the feelings of Taiwan residents, Fuwa greatly welcomed the change.

Fuwa spoke about the increase in JCP influence in Japanese society and expressed hope to make the 21st century an era in which the JCP can raise the question of political power. (end)