Recently, an incident surfaced online where several women, wearing traditional Chinese hanfu in a Wuhan park, were mistakenly assumed to be donning Japanese kimonos by the park staff. They were repeatedly asked to leave as a result. This has shed light on the updated Chinese “Public Security Administration Punishments Law”, particularly Article 34, which prohibits wearing or displaying items in public that may hurt Chinese national sentiments. Some believe this targets behaviors like wearing a kimono.
Commenting on the issue, Hu Xijin, former editor of the state-run Global Times, suggested that the overemphasis on the kimono issue is unnecessarily elevating Japan’s stature. He expressed that there’s no need to pay excessive attention to Japan.
Hu’s article points out that the incident, where the hanfu-clad girls were mistaken and evicted, indicates an over-sensitivity towards Japanese cultural elements in current society. He stressed, “There’s no need to focus so intently on Japan, getting upset about it; that just gives it undue prominence.”
He described Japan as the “vassal” of the United States, emphasizing that China’s primary strategic adversary is the US. There’s been a historic shift in the balance of power between China and Japan, with mainland China surpassing Japan in sectors like aerospace, electric vehicle technology, internet applications, and more. He mentioned, “Japan’s national strength can’t even compare, especially considering China’s formidable nuclear and conventional military might.”
The article also suggests that mainland China’s current perception of Japan should be akin to how Taiwan was viewed over two decades ago – with confidence. The historical pain caused by Japan’s aggressions should not dominate China’s interactions with the country. When encountering new tensions with Japan, China should not act out of fear but rather disdain. Adjusting this emotional perception of Japan is essential for China to stand tall psychologically.
The report opined that there’s no need to hold Japan, which has been in decline for decades, in high regard. Japan, in many aspects, doesn’t match China’s might. For instance, “China’s north-south high-speed rail is longer than all of Japan’s Shinkansen. China’s annual car sales and military budget are many times that of Japan. How can Japan strategically counter China?”
To those fearing Japan, the article advises more confidence in modern China and emphasizes focusing strategic efforts towards the US. Allies of the US are unlikely to vehemently act against China on America’s behalf. Therefore, globalizing Sino-Japanese conflicts is unwarranted. Focusing on managing Japan and directing efforts towards strategic plays against the US represents “the great wisdom of the Chinese nation.”
Hu Xijin has previously commented multiple times on the topic of kimonos and has called on the Chinese people to manage their anti-Japanese sentiments. Given the backdrop where the Chinese public is upset with Japan for following the U.S. on issues like Taiwan and for discharging nuclear wastewater, Hu Xijin’s statements have been widely criticized.