IT seems that bilateral relations between China and Japan are gaining momentum through high level official meetings and political discussions brightening the chances of peaceful co-existence, openness and mutual respect. Once again the Chinese wisdom prevailed inviting the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya for mutual consultation and discussion. Last month, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Peru and the two sides agreed to work together to comprehensively advance the strategic relationship of mutual benefit between China and Japan and endeavour to build a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship fit for the new era for is a good omen for the regional peace, economic stability and social harmony.
While meeting with the visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya, Chinese Premier Li Qiang rightly emphasized working with Japan to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries. Later, at the second meeting of High-Level Consultation Mechanism on People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges between China and Japan attended by Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese Foreign Minister, and Iwaya, both sides reached 10 important consensuses, including vigorously promoting youth exchanges and visits and introducing more facilitation measures to promote mutual visits of tourists opening a new era of mutual respect, meaningful consultation, cultural cooperation, economic integration and last but not least social harmony creating numerous befitting propositions.
Critical analysis reveals that China-Japan relations are steadily moving toward improvement, with the Ishiba Administration taking sensible initiatives to foster pragmatic cooperation through bilateral dialogues. These efforts are driving rapid normalization and constructive stabilization between the two countries. Iwaya’s statements before his visit to China reflect a spirit of reconciliation, regionalism and neutrality, avoiding alignment with the United States. The Ishiba Administration’s actions are based on public opinion, benefiting both nations’ societies, economies, and communities, and fostering a prosperous future for China-Japan relations. The stable development of these relations is vital for regional peace, economic stability, and prosperity, which can be achieved and sustained through ongoing exchanges and cooperation.
Obviously, the Chinese visa free policy has played an effective role in attracting more and more Japanese tourists inching towards greater confidence building mechanisms. Thus hopefully regional integration development seems to be on the fast track. The decision of Toyota to establish a new electric vehicle factory in China would further enhance business and investment cooperation between two sides. Many Japanese companies are planning to make more and more investments in China, clearly negating the notion of decoupling and supply chain disruption.
Undoubtedly, China and Japan are two critically important countries in the region, and the stable development of their relations holds significant importance for both countries, the region, and even the world. The principles and directions established by the four political documents between China and Japan, such as the consensus that the two countries should be “cooperative partners rather than each other’s threats,” form the “foundation” of China-Japan relations which should be appreciated. It is suggested that the mutual dialogue should be permanent and understanding of the bilateral relationship should not be short-term and utilitarian, but rather long-term.
Evidently, China’s national policy toward Japan has been consistent and stable. Now it is high time for both the countries’ relations to improve and develop. encouragingly, Iwaya said that Japan is willing to make joint efforts with China to strengthen exchanges at all levels, especially people-to-people exchanges, promote mutually beneficial cooperation and improve public opinion toward each other, comprehensively advance strategic relations of mutual benefit, and build constructive and stable Japan-China relations. The most recent 10 consensuses between China and Japan seems to be holistic, comprehensive, humanistic, futuristic and culturally oriented covering all aspects of political consultation, sports exchange, media cooperation, multiculturalism, fun & music collaboration, animation, and gaming industries, strengthen cooperation in media and think tanks, and engaging in exchanges between women’s organizations to share experiences on promoting the joint development of men and women, and the two countries will work together to make the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, a platform for communication and friendship between the peoples of two countries.
In summary, the visit of Iwaya vividly reflects positivity, productivity and participatory approach which would be a value addition and an important step in the improvement of China-Japan relations creating mutually beneficial ties between China and Japan. Thus China-Japan ties go beyond bilateral and have regional and global effects. The author suggests that the Japanese policy makers should fulfil its international obligations and commitments to China about the disposal of contaminated water and try to establish a long-term international monitoring mechanism, and allow China to sample and test independently. The author asserts that Iwaya’s visit demonstrates Tokyo’s willingness to advance the strategic relationship of mutual benefit in the overall interest of China-Japan relations, marking an important step toward restoring ties. The author notes that the Ishiba government is more pragmatic and flexible in dealing with China compared to the Kishida Administration, which has contributed to improving relations. The author argues that Japan’s détente with China, the world’s second-largest economy, would be beneficial for Japan and its people. A mutually beneficial, strategic and stable relationship between the two countries would open new opportunities for both sides and their people. The author concludes that cooperation between China and Japan is not only beneficial to both nations and their peoples but also to the stability and development of the region. Therefore, the land of the rising sun must rise above the shadows of history and work toward greater harmony.
—The writer is President, Pak-China Corridor of Knowledge, Executive Director, CSAIS, regional expert: China, CPEC & BRI.
