Sino-Japanese Relations Warming

China and Japan held high-level economic talks for the first time in history yesterday. It is the second ever such dialogue for China after similar talks with the United States. China plans to have a similar dialogue with the European Union next March,

China and Japan, long considered fierce rivals, are improving relations with each other.

In the presence of Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan, Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura and respective delegations from six economy-related ministries in both nations met last Saturday in Beijing in “Co-prosperity and mutual development through cooperation” talks.

The two sides agreed to strengthen their economic ties to ensure food safety and environmental protection and to work out the details of the joint development of a gas field in the East China Sea before Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda visits China at the end of the year.

Zeng said on that day, “China’s developments present opportunities rather than threats to Japan, and vice versa.” His remark showed a strong sense of commitment to future cooperation.

He also made a proposal that the two nations should bolster cooperation in four major sectors: energy and environmental protection, trade and investment, corporate sectors in both nations, and international economic issues. He asked Japan to fully recognize China as a market economy.

Komura responded, “The two economies are highly dependent upon each other. So, we should expand cooperation to both nations’ benefit.”

Premier Wen Jiabao talked with the Japanese delegation on Sunday, and further talks are scheduled to take place with President Hu Jintao on Monday. In response to such an unprecedented welcome, the Japanese were happy with China’s commitment to improve Sino-Japanese relations.

Despite some unresolved issues between the two nations, such as those related to oil field development and history, the rationale behind China’s latest enthusiasm to improve relations is because it needs cutting edge technology to realize Hu’s goals to make China a leader in science and technology.

Japan has also shown its share of passion for improving relations since Prime Minister Fukuda took office. He has placed importance on strengthening diplomatic ties with Asian countries. Judging that growing private-level economic cooperation should be strongly backed by the government, Japan has taken a proactive stance in improving ties.

However, there are projections that the latest thaw in relations between the two nations may not last long, with new sets of challenges emerging, such as the expansion of Chinese military power in addition to existing issues that remain unaddressed.