Onus on US to bridge China-Japan divide

With China preparing to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, it is time to reflect on the past and take measures to fortify a peaceful future. The anniversary is especially important for China because it not only bore the brunt of Japanese aggression before and during WWII, but also played a key role in Japan's defeat.

Thanks to the lessons of WWII, the international community has succeeded in avoiding another world war despite regional conflicts and tensions, with the United Nations and its principle of non-aggression and coordination among major powers laying the foundation for world peace.

The United States' role both during and after WWII has been unique. During WWII (in 1941 to be precise), the US forged a strategic partnership with China and the two countries jointly fought against Japan. After Japan's surrender in WWII, the US made the country adopt a pacifist Constitution, which stipulated Japan should not have a full-fledged military and could take defensive action within its territory only. According to the Constitution, therefore, Japan is not entitled to "collective self-defense" despite its alliance with the US.