胡锦涛对东京的和平之旅

President Hu Jintao’s visit to Japan this week was the first by a Chinese leader in a decade. It was a lot friendlier than the previous one — when President Jiang Zemin publicly chastised his hosts for not showing sufficient contrition over Japan’s brutal occupation of China in 1930s and 1940s. Unlike some of his recent predecessors, Japan’s prime minister, Yasuo Fukuda, has made an effort not to infuriate the Chinese. Notably, he has refused to pander to Japanese nationalists by visiting Tokyo’s tainted Yasukuni war shrine.

It will be a good thing for everyone, including the United States, if these two powerful countries can finally get along. For that to happen, it will take more than just one harmonious visit.

Both sides worked hard to ensure that all went well this time, touching only cursorily on their bitter history. The two leaders agreed to regular summits and increased civil and military exchanges. Then there were the two pandas that Mr. Hu offered to Japan in lieu of one that recently died — an emotionally seductive touch.

There was more that should have been done. The two sides lamentably failed to resolve a lingering and potentially dangerous dispute over gas resources in the East China Sea. Still, they did claim progress. If that can be translated into a commitment for a joint exploration project, it could significantly ease tensions between them.

On China’s side, Mr. Hu did not significantly address or allay concerns in Japan, and elsewhere, about his country’s military buildup. He could have offered to share information on its military strategy and arsenal. And he could have endorsed Japan for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council. Especially after the brutal crackdown in Tibet — and with the Olympics just three months away — Beijing needs all of the goodwill and understanding it can get.

That may explain Mr. Hu’s tolerant response when the Japanese leader laudably urged Mr. Hu to continue talks with the Dalai Lama. It will take a long time and a lot more serious effort for two competitors such as China and Japan to overcome their past. All in all, Mr. Hu’s visit to Tokyo was a start.