Sino-Japanese relations 'snake' between crest and trough
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However, at different times, the relations lie at different values ranging from positive relations to periods of tension. What is it that causes the changes but does not result in an alliance or a war? According to historical analysis, there are several factors to dominate the relations.
Firstly, leaders have a large influence. The catalytic roles of leaders promote the development of Sino-Japanese relations. These extraordinary individuals, such as China's Premier Zhou Enlai and Japan's former Prime Minister Tanaka Kakuei, are vital to the construction of good relations between China and Japan.
Secondly, any change in the international environment affects relations. China and Japan developed formal foreign relations with the Cold War détente. Nowadays, Japan pays much more attention to relations with China. However, international tension could wreck the relations.
Thirdly, any unexpected incident could alter the relations. Whether China-Japan relations improve or deteriorate is vulnerable to such unexpected incidents as the "dumpling poisoning incident", which easily aggregates misunderstanding. There are also several sensitive issues between China and Japan that can dominate the fate of the relations.
National power is the key to choosing national strategy and relations with other countries. China and Japan have been experiencing important adjustments in national strategies because of their changes in national power. For example, both countries emphasize the neighbor country's importance now more than in the past.
Sino-Japanese relations are of increasing importance in a global and regional world. China and Japan still cannot break the bounds of the crest and trough, but if the nations can handle the issues discussed above, then they can meet at a point near the crest for a longer time.
The author is Ph.D candidate of International Politics, School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Fudan University.
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