今年是中日邦交正常化50周年，9月26日，日本前首相鳩山由紀夫為《中國日報》獨家撰稿時，這樣形容中日關系的重要性：
“A stable Japan-China relationship is like oxygen. You do not notice it until you begin to lose it.”
“穩定的日中關系就像氧氣。在你失去它之前，你不會注意到它。”
他表示應該把日中邦交正常化50周年作為一個契機。為了未來50年兩國關系的和平與發展，日本和中國應該回歸邦交正常化的初心，在相互尊重、相互理解、相互支持的基礎上，努力穩定來之不易的雙邊關系。
He said that the two countries should take the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic normalization of ties as a wake-up call. To maintain peace and develop bilateral relations for the next 50 years, Japan and China should return to the original intention of establishing bilateral ties based on mutual respect, mutual understanding and mutual assistance, and strive to stabilize their precious relationship.
中日邦交正常化50周年民間紀念活動在北京舉行。圖源：新華社
以下是文章節選：
On Sept 29, 1972, then Japanese prime minister Kakuei Tanaka and Chinese premier Zhou Enlai issued a joint statement announcing the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of Sino-Japanese ties, and I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to both countries on the occasion.
1972年9月29日，時任日本首相田中角榮和中國的周恩來總理簽署聯合聲明，宣布中日邦交正常化。今年是中日邦交正常化50周年，在此，我謹向兩國表示衷心的祝賀。
Fifty years ago, our predecessors understood that peace between, and prosperity of, the two countries and East Asia would not be possible unless Japan and China, as nearest neighbors separated by only a narrow strip of water, established a stable relationship.
50年前，我們的前輩們認識到，日中兩國是一衣帶水的鄰邦，唯有兩國建立起穩定的關系，日中兩國乃至東亞的和平和繁榮才有可能實現。
Today, too many people seem to have forgotten the importance of a stable Japan-China relationship.
今天，有太多的人似乎已經忘記了穩定的日中關系的重要性。
Throughout history, there have been many instances of friction or even war between a rapidly rising power and an existing great power. For example, the United States and China face the same challenge in these times. My biggest concern is how to mitigate the confrontation between the US and China and avoid this trap.
縱觀歷史，一個迅速崛起的大國和一個現存大國之間發生摩擦甚至戰爭的例子不勝枚舉。比如，中國和美國之間在當下這個時代就面臨著同樣的挑戰。我最關心的，是如何緩和中美之間的對抗，避免雙方踏入陷阱。
Sadly, however, an increasing number of Japanese people think that we should work with the US to contain China. This could be partly attributed to Japan's economic stagnation over the past 30 years.
然而，可悲的是，越來越多的日本人認為我們應該與美國合作來遏制中國。有一部分原因可能是因為日本在過去30年中的經濟停滯。
The idea of a balance of power can only fuel the Sino-US confrontation. As a result, should the situation across the Taiwan Straits become unstable, it will be extremely difficult to stop the use of force. And if the US and China were to go to war, all parties involved, including Japan, would be losers.
維持均勢的想法只會助長中美對抗的勢頭。一旦臺灣海峽兩岸的局勢變得不穩定，要停止使用武力將變得極為困難。如果美國和中國開戰，包括日本在內的所有相關方都將是輸家。
Japan is one of the most important US allies in Asia as well as China's friend for 50 years. So Japan should serve as a bridge between the US and China, in order to prevent a US-China conflict.
日本是美國在亞洲最重要的盟友之一，也是中國50年來的朋友。日本應該作為美國和中國之間的橋梁，以防止美中發生沖突。
But for Japan to act as a bridge between the US and China, it is essential that Japan and China maintain close exchanges. In recent years, however, the Japanese government, like the US government, has been emphasizing the importance of the conflict between "democracy and authoritarianism". This will only reduce the chances of compromise and increase the chances of conflict.
對于日本來說，要想在美中之間發揮橋梁的作用，就必須與中國保持密切交流。然而，近年來，日本政府和美國政府一樣，一直在強調所謂“民主與專制”之間沖突的重要性。這只會讓和解的機會減少，而讓沖突的幾率增多。
Fifty years ago, the values of Japan and China were even more different than they are today. But despite that, our predecessors exhibited exemplary wisdom to shelve their differences and work together for the betterment of people in both countries.
50年前，日本和中國的價值觀與今天相比更加不同。但是盡管如此，我們的前輩還是展現出了堪稱典范的智慧，擱置分歧，共同為兩國人民福祉而努力。
Different countries have different opinions on different issues. It is all the more important for the political leaders of Japan and therefore China to communicate more frequently so that the differences between the two countries do not undermine this important bilateral relationship.
不同的國家對不同的問題有不同的看法。日本和中國的政界領袖們有必要進行更頻繁的溝通，管控好兩國之間的分歧，使其不至于對雙邊關系造成破壞。
I am concerned by the recent moves of Japan and the US over the Taiwan question. However, it is also true that the Japanese government still maintains a more cautious stance than the US government on the Taiwan question.
我對日本和美國最近在臺灣問題上的舉動表示關注。然而，在臺灣問題上，日本政府仍然保持著比美國政府更加嚴謹的立場，這也是事實。
On this occasion, the Japanese government should make it clear, both in words and action, that it will adhere to the "one-China principle." It should also send a message to the United States and Taiwan, voicing its strongest opposition to the road toward possible war. If the "one-China principle" becomes hollow, it could accelerate arms race and trigger a conflict in East Asia. That is what no one wants to see.
值此之際，日本政府應當澄清立場，在語言和行動上明確表示堅持一個中國原則。日本也應該向美國和中國臺灣發出信息，對有可能發生的戰爭表示最強烈的反對。如果一個中國原則被掏空，就可能會加速軍備競賽并引發東亞地區的沖突。這是誰都不愿意看到的。
Last year, Sino-Japanese trade hit a record high. And now, in addition to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement, which took effect on Jan 1, China's likely accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement on Trans-Pacific Partnership would also be of great significance to bilateral ties.
去年，中日貿易創下歷史新高。目前，除了1月1日生效的《區域全面經濟伙伴關系協定》（RCEP）之外，中國申請加入《全面與進步跨太平洋伙伴關系協定》（CPTPP）也將對雙邊關系具有重大意義。
Due to the pandemic, the number of Chinese people visiting Japan last year was only about 43,000, a sharp decline from 11,885,000 in 2019. The drastic decline means more than just economic loss; it also weakens people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
由于疫情，去年訪問日本的中國人只有大約4.3萬人，比2019年的1188.5萬人有了大幅下降。急劇的下降不僅僅意味著經濟遭受損失，還削弱了兩國之間的人文交流。
In this sense, it is necessary to strengthen private-sector cultural exchanges based on the cultural commonalities of the two countries. Promoting youth and student exchanges is also extremely important.
在這個意義上來說，有必要基于兩國文化共性加強民間文化交流。促進青年和學生交流也極為重要。
A stable Japan-China relationship is like oxygen. You do not notice it until you begin to lose it.
穩定的日中關系就像氧氣。在你失去它之前，你不會注意到它。
We should take the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic normalization of ties as a wake-up call. To maintain peace and develop bilateral relations for the next 50 years, Japan and China should return to the original intention of establishing bilateral ties based on mutual respect, mutual understanding and mutual assistance, and strive to stabilize their precious relationship.
我們應該把中日邦交正常化50周年作為一個契機。為了未來50年兩國關系的和平與發展，日本和中國應該回歸邦交正常化的初心，在相互尊重、相互理解、相互支持的基礎上，努力穩定來之不易的雙邊關系。
If Japan-China relations, which are the most important bilateral relationship in East Asia, stabilize, the concept of an East Asian community that I advocate and the community with a shared future for mankind advocated by President Xi Jinping will also make great progress.
日中關系是東亞地區最為重要的雙邊關系，有了穩定的日中關系，我所倡導的“東亞共同體”理論和習近平主席倡導的人類命運共同體理念也必將取得巨大進展。
The author is former prime minister of Japan.
作者系日本前首相鳩山由紀夫。
來源：中國日報雙語微信
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