By Jin Kai
Is it possible for China and Japan to repair their relationship?
It’s true — Chinese high-ranking officials and scholars in national think tanks do believe that “new type of great power relations,” or “new type of major country relationship,” as it is also translated, also applies to Sino-Japan relations. However, given the current situation on East China Sea, it may sound more ironic than realistic.
Such “new type” relations have been proposed by Chinese leaders mainly to describe China’s vision for its bilateral relationship with the United States. The U.S. agrees with this idea but really does not show much interest in it. China has indeed tried to improve its relationship with the dominant United States. China also intends to apply the principles of “new type great power relations” — no conflict or confrontation, mutual respect, and win-win cooperation — to its relationships with other major powers like Europe Union and Japan.
Unlike responses from the U.S., which are very diplomatic and sophisticated, Japan’s response through its recent political and diplomatic moves seem to be very clear and firm. China believes Japan’s responses are the main causes of the current tension between these two major powers. Some states view Beijing’s confidence or even assertiveness as inappropriate and unnecessary. From the Chinese perspective, though, this assertiveness is a response to Japan’s unilateral moves regarding the disputed islands, which in itself is indicative of a much more profound change in Japan’s political climate.
Read the full story at The Diplomat