The politics of statues

摘要

Nothing brings China and South Korea together quite like Japanese imperial history. Its most recent manifestation is China's decision to erect a statue in the north-eastern city of Harbin to honour the Korean assassin of a Japanese colonial leader. South Korea's president, Park Geun-hye, suggested the idea to President Xi Jinping during a visit to China in June. On November18th Ms Park thanked China's visiting state councillor, Yang Jiechi, for going along with the idea. The divide between Japan and its neighbours appears to be widening.