日本前首相为《中国日报》独家撰稿，这样形容中日关系……

今年是中日邦交正常化50周年，9月26日，日本前首相鸠山由纪夫为《中国日报》独家撰稿时，这样形容中日关系的重要性：

“A stable Japan-China relationship is like oxygen. You do not notice it until you begin to lose it.”

“稳定的日中关系就像氧气。在你失去它之前，你不会注意到它。”

他表示应该把日中邦交正常化50周年作为一个契机。为了未来50年两国关系的和平与发展，日本和中国应该回归邦交正常化的初心，在相互尊重、相互理解、相互支持的基础上，努力稳定来之不易的双边关系。

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周年民间纪念活动在北京举行。图源：新华社

以下是文章节选：

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，时任日本首相田中角荣和中国的周恩来总理签署联合声明，宣布中日邦交正常化。今年是中日邦交正常化50周年，在此，我谨向两国表示衷心的祝贺。

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，我们的前辈们认识到，日中两国是一衣带水的邻邦，唯有两国建立起稳定的关系，日中两国乃至东亚的和平和繁荣才有可能实现。

Today, too many people seem to have forgotten the importance of a stable Japan-China relationship.

今天，有太多的人似乎已经忘记了稳定的日中关系的重要性。

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.

纵观历史，一个迅速崛起的大国和一个现存大国之间发生摩擦甚至战争的例子不胜枚举。比如，中国和美国之间在当下这个时代就面临着同样的挑战。我最关心的，是如何缓和中美之间的对抗，避免双方踏入陷阱。

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，越来越多的日本人认为我们应该与美国合作来遏制中国。有一部分原因可能是因为日本在过去30年中的经济停滞。

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.

维持均势的想法只会助长中美对抗的势头。一旦台湾海峡两岸的局势变得不稳定，要停止使用武力将变得极为困难。如果美国和中国开战，包括日本在内的所有相关方都将是输家。

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.

日本是美国在亚洲最重要的盟友之一，也是中国50年来的朋友。日本应该作为美国和中国之间的桥梁，以防止美中发生冲突。

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.

对于日本来说，要想在美中之间发挥桥梁的作用，就必须与中国保持密切交流。然而，近年来，日本政府和美国政府一样，一直在强调所谓“民主与专制”之间冲突的重要性。这只会让和解的机会减少，而让冲突的几率增多。

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，日本和中国的价值观与今天相比更加不同。但是尽管如此，我们的前辈还是展现出了堪称典范的智慧，搁置分歧，共同为两国人民福祉而努力。

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.

不同的国家对不同的问题有不同的看法。日本和中国的政界领袖们有必要进行更频繁的沟通，管控好两国之间的分歧，使其不至于对双边关系造成破坏。

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.

我对日本和美国最近在台湾问题上的举动表示关注。然而，在台湾问题上，日本政府仍然保持着比美国政府更加严谨的立场，这也是事实。

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.

值此之际，日本政府应当澄清立场，在语言和行动上明确表示坚持一个中国原则。日本也应该向美国和中国台湾发出信息，对有可能发生的战争表示最强烈的反对。如果一个中国原则被掏空，就可能会加速军备竞赛并引发东亚地区的冲突。这是谁都不愿意看到的。

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，中日贸易创下历史新高。目前，除了1月1日生效的《区域全面经济伙伴关系协定》（RCEP）之外，中国申请加入《全面与进步跨太平洋伙伴关系协定》（CPTPP）也将对双边关系具有重大意义。

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，去年访问日本的中国人只有大约4.3万人，比2019年的1188.5万人有了大幅下降。急剧的下降不仅仅意味着经济遭受损失，还削弱了两国之间的人文交流。

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.

在这个意义上来说，有必要基于两国文化共性加强民间文化交流。促进青年和学生交流也极为重要。

A stable Japan-China relationship is like oxygen. You do not notice it until you begin to lose it.

稳定的日中关系就像氧气。在你失去它之前，你不会注意到它。

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.

我们应该把中日邦交正常化50周年作为一个契机。为了未来50年两国关系的和平与发展，日本和中国应该回归邦交正常化的初心，在相互尊重、相互理解、相互支持的基础上，努力稳定来之不易的双边关系。

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.

日中关系是东亚地区最为重要的双边关系，有了稳定的日中关系，我所倡导的“东亚共同体”理论和习近平主席倡导的人类命运共同体理念也必将取得巨大进展。

The author is former prime minister of Japan.

作者系日本前首相鸠山由纪夫。

来源：中国日报双语微信