The principled agreement reached between China and the United States during recent talks in London represents a significant move in the right direction, said John McLean, Chairman of the China-UK Business Development Centre, who also expressed strong confidence in the resilience of the Chinese economy.
McLean made the remarks in an interview on the sidelines of the three-day 2025 Beijing CBD Forum, which opened on Wednesday with the goal of further strengthening China's connection with the global community.
The first meeting of the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism was held in London from Monday to Tuesday.
The two sides held candid and in-depth talks and thoroughly exchanged views on economic and trade issues of mutual concern.
An agreement in principle was reached on implementing the important consensus made between the two heads of state during their phone call on June 5 and the framework of measures to consolidate the outcomes of the economic and trade talks in Geneva, and new progress was forged in addressing each other's economic and trade concerns.
McLean lauded the agreement, stressing that businesses around the world hope for more stable relations between the world's two largest economies.
"This is good, very good for the world, very good for trade. Because we are in the sea of uncertainty. If we can reduce the uncertainty, I don't think we can ever get back to a level playing field because of the turmoil that happened, and also don't forget this is just China and the U.S. There are a number of other countries which actually have to find an accord, and the 10 percent tariff is in existence today. So, it is a significant step in the right direction," he said.
With over two decades of business experience in China, McLean expressed confidence in the country's ability to navigate the economic uncertainties.
"I've been trading in China for something like 26 years. Probably not quite, but each year I read in the paper: 'Chinese growth under challenge. Can they do 10 percent? Can they do 8 percent? Can they do 6 percent? Can they do 5 percent?' But the levers that China has in terms of managing its economy, I would say, I have trust in them to be able to actually pull those levers, because they demonstrated over the last 20 odd years that they can do it. I'm not saying it is going to be easy. And when you see what's actually happened, here in terms of their technological advances and their green energy advances, you have to think they have the capability in the know-how," he said.
Principled agreement between China, U.S. marks significant step forward: UK business leader
Japanese peace activists held an event Sunday in Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture of Japan, which focused on reflecting on the history of Japan's war of aggression against China and on peace education, calling on the Japanese public to confront past war crimes and prevent a repeat of tragedy.
The event marked the 20th anniversary of a peace memorial hall of a Japanese civic group -- the Association of Returnees from China. Participants at the event stressed that understanding history is an important prerequisite for preventing the repetition of a historical tragedy.
"The more I hear these experiences from friends of the association, the more I feel that we must truly understand Japan's responsibility as the perpetrator in past wars, and we must never do the same thing again. Moreover, there are now signs that seem to suggest a possible repeat of the past, which really frightens me. I believe this kind of thing must never happen again," a participant said.
"Attempts to remove Japan's history of aggression from textbooks are still ongoing. Successive Japanese governments ruled by Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) have pursued a policy of not teaching this history. Parties even more right-wing than the LDP have also emerged recently, and these forces are gaining ground. As they come to hold a majority in the Diet, the constitution is finally on the verge of revision. If that happens, they will use the constitution as a cover to implement conscription and expand military buildup -- in other words, Japan is trying to become a war-perpetrating country once again," another participant said.
Many participants voiced concern over the Japanese government's dangerous moves on historical issues.
"First of all, knowing the facts is very important. Now the Japanese government is doing everything it can to prevent people from learning history, so I think we should start by learning about it. For Japan, the textbook issue remains the most important. The September 18 Incident and the Lugou Bridge Incident were both triggered by pretexts fabricated by Japan, yet Japan claimed at the time that China had launched the attack. Pre-war education instilled these ideas. However, these incidents were planned by Japan. Post-war generations knew this, but pre-war Japanese did not. So I think it is entirely possible for such a situation to occur again today," a participant said.
Another participant said, "Understanding Japan's past history of aggression is very important -- an issue Japanese people must further understand. Japan must never forget what it once did to China. China never attacked Japan. I think these things are probably not taught in schools. And even when I was in school, they were barely covered. Now it seems they are not taught at all. Even the term 'Nanjing Massacre' was never properly taught. I feel Japan has never truly reflected on its past. So the responsibility for problems between Japan and China lies entirely with Japan."
The Japanese civic group "Association of Returnees from China" was founded decades ago by Japanese war criminals who were released back to Japan under lenient treatment by the Chinese government, with the aim of contributing to peace and Japan-China friendship.
In 2002, the association was dissolved due to the aging of its members. But the "Continuing the Miracle of Fushun Society" was later founded by the younger generation to carry on the unfinished cause of peace.
Japanese peace activists call for confronting wartime past to prevent another tragedy
