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Japan and China's precarious spring
(The Straits Times Saturday April 14 2007)

For the past week, the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao paid a visit to Japan in a bid to strengthen and promote inter-country relations. The Chinese Premier went as far as mingling with the locals during their daily activities such as practising taiji, jogging, and even planting vegetables with the Japanese farmers. Over the course of his visit, both sides have been negotiating for a boost in economic co-operation, settling certain historical disputes, as well as discussing joint-military exercises. Though ties are certainly improving by a significant degree, the journalist is sceptical regarding the sustainability of relations due to China’s rise as an economic power.

It is definitely heart-warming that the two countries which are constantly at loggerheads with each another are finally starting to make concessions and working towards a peaceful co-existence. However, the journalist’s view is one to agree with, for the inevitable rise of China as an economic powerhouse would spark off further rivalry between both nations.

The major development of the Chinese industry and economy would require a gargantuan amount of resources. As we know, China and Japan are having a stand-off regarding the exploitation of natural gas deposits in the East China Sea; further advancements would mean an increase in the frequency of disputes regarding natural resources.

China’s rise would also mean a displacement of Japan’s position as one of the top economies of East Asia, a pride that the Japanese cannot afford to lose. This would lead to Japanese bitterness towards their counterparts and in turn sour relations, as political action would be swayed by the attitudes of its leaders.

Overall, the rise of China’s economy can either bring both parties together or separate them further apart. It is the Japanese attitude and acceptance of such a phenomenon that determines how relations between the two nations would turn out in the near future. China has made a great leap in trying to improve bilateral ties, now it is Japan’s turn once more.

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