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.

　　As the victor of the First Sino-Japanese War, Japan demanded huge "reparations" and forced China, then ruled by the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), to sign the unequal "Treaty of Shimonoseki" in 1895. The reparations, in more ways than one, helped Japan strengthen its economic, military and educational foundations, and dealt a deadly blow to China's economy and territorial integrity.

　　After winning another war with Russia on China's land at the beginning of the 20th century, Japan revealed its naked militarist designs by invading more Asian countries such as Korea. Encouraged and lured by Japan's "fruitful" aggressive campaigns, more Western imperial powers flocked to China to grab territories (on the pretext of taking them on lease) and usurp the ownership of railways and mines, dealing a blow to China's sovereignty.

　　The First Sino-Japanese War and World War II are important lessons for China and Japan both: only if a country's rise is peaceful can it achieve continued success.

　　Japan's humiliating defeat in World War II can be attributed to its leaders' bloated ego and dream of ruling the Asia-Pacific. In contrast, China's defeat in the 1894-95 war can be attributed to its weak economy and military, and flawed political system compared with those of Japan. It is thus fair to conclude that the rise and restoration of a country is based on successful institutional reforms, not on militarist and expansionist policies.

　　Yet 120 years after the war, a reversal of national strength is taking place between the two leading powers in Asia. This is something that some Japanese cannot digest. Moreover, many Japanese are haunted by their country's sluggish economy, which has given rise to many social problems such as suicides, and by China overtaking Japan as the world's second-largest economy four years ago.

　　In today's globalized world, countries' interests are intertwined and economies interdependent; there is no place for wars and aggression. Capital, market and public opinion now play a bigger role than government diktats in deciding a country's diplomatic policies.

　　So, it is time Japan realized that wars can no longer resolve disputes and serve national interests.

　　But there is no guarantee that Japan will not revive its militarist past, certainly not as long as the Shinzo Abe government refuses to reflect on history and own up to its war crimes. One can hope, however, that Japan's leadership and strategic elites will view the current international order rationally and realize the need to properly resolve Sino-Japanese disputes and avoid another war.

　　Earlier this year, Abe used a preposterous metaphor by comparing today's Sino-Japanese ties with those between Germany and the UK before World War I, to portray China as a threat. This misinterpretation of history exposed not only his ignorance of history, but also his obsession with outdated "jungle rules", which led Japan to doom in World War II.

　　Besides, by muscling through the "Special Secrets Protection Bill" and "reinterpreting" Japan's Constitution, the Abe government has claimed the right to collective self-defense for the first time after WWII and thus violated the country's postwar pacifist policy. By "seeking" a meeting with Chinese leaders and yet visiting Yasukuni Shrine that honors 14 Class-A WWII criminals, Abe has upset not only China, but also other Asian countries.

　　China's peaceful rise and rapid economic growth over the past three decades reflect its consistent efforts to avoid a repeat of the tragic past and its ability to preserve peace in Asia. Japan should value this, and reflect on the atrocities its imperial army committed in countries across the region, especially China, in the last century.

　　This is the time for Abe and other Japanese right-wingers to realize that the "law of the jungle" has no place in today's world, a world that has undergone drastic changes since WWII. Abe can start the process by declaring that he will not visit Yasukuni Shrine any more and agreeing to hold negotiations with China to resolve the Diaoyu Islands dispute.