Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou said on Sunday it was important to remember the good things Japan did for the island while not forgetting the bad, as he marked 70 years since Japan gave up control of Taiwan at the end of World War Two.
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Speaking in Taipei to mark what Taiwan calls Retrocession Day, Ma said it was true Japan's invasion of China killed millions and issues like the "comfort women", as those forced to work in Japan's wartime military brothels are euphemistically known in Japan, still caused deep pain today.
"But Japanese colonial rule of Taiwan also bought construction, like the Chianan Irrigation system and Wusanto Reservoir," Ma said, referring to two projects Japan oversaw.
"This benefited farmers in Taiwan, and we should naturally affirm it," added Ma, a member of the same Nationalist Party that fled to Taiwan in 1949.
Looking ahead, Ma said that both sides should adopt an attitude of "distinguishing kindness from grievances" and discuss things based on their own merits.
"Only then can the Chinese and Japanese peoples build a great and lasting friendship."