What will tomorrow's Asian Cup final be like?

A classic match between archrivals China and Japan. A close competition between two of the continent's top teams. And a splendid football showcase for aficionados of "the beautiful game."

It will be all of these.

In the eyes of some Japanese politicians and media, however, it is also more of a political event than a match. They have collaborated to equate some Chinese fans' booing of the Japanese team in earlier matches to mean all Chinese supporters are hostile towards the visitors.

This is far from the truth.

The Asian Cup is the highest-profile soccer tournament China has hosted in recent years. Chinese fans, as hosts, highly value the opportunity and warmly greeted all teams. Their ardor toward the game has won praise from Asian Football Confederation officials.

International soccer matches often witness undesirable behavior by a minority of fans, and the vast majority of Chinese do not condone such actions. We want only pure and clean sport.

Some Japanese officials and media have stated that sports should not be linked with politics.

Chinese fans as a whole are not mixing politics with sports despite the small number of fans who failed to behave themselves.

On the contrary, by magnifying the issue, the Japanese side risks "bringing political thinking into sports."

Some Japanese officials on Wednesday even urged their government to make a stronger protest and suggested a boycott of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, according to Reuters.

A Japanese politician, ignorant of our efforts to improve Sino-Japanese relations, even accused China's education system of spreading anti-Japanese sentiment.

Such irresponsible remarks have reportedly stirred up anti-Chinese feelings in Japan.

China has been making efforts to preach a positive approach to bilateral relations.

The government, the Cup organization committee and Chinese fans have strived to host an orderly tournament free of political overtones.

In order not to let the situation exert further negative influence on bilateral ties, both parties should demonstrate reason and restraint.

(China Daily August 6, 2004)