Don't let war history repeat itself

Japan must realize that its leaders' militarist policies caused the country's downfall and that the future belongs to peace

The First Sino-Japanese War that broke out on July 25, 1894 because of Japan's provocation was a turning point in China-Japan relationship of more than 2,000 years. Traditionally known as the "Celestial Empire", China astoundingly met its Waterloo in the one-year war with "small" Japan. The war altered not only the East Asian and international order, but also the destinies of the two countries.

To some extent the ignominious defeat in the war did serve as a wake-up call for China. But Japan's victory disintegrated the traditional Sino-centric suzerain-vassal system in Asia and replaced it with flagrant colonialism led by Western powers and shared by Japan. Following the dramatic decline of its international leadership, China along with the whole Far East became a major victim of the expansionist policies of major powers, including the United States, the United Kingdom and an increasingly militarist Japan.