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There are several other disputes, such as the ownership of the Diaoyu Islands and the boundary in the East China Sea. But perhaps most critical is the fact that these powerful neighboring nations can’t figure out how to deal with one another; as the saying goes, “heroes cannot stand side by side.”
In the past 30 years since China initiated its reforms and open policy, its economic strength has been constantly growing, which has shifted the 20th century status quo of a stronger Japan and a weaker China. Japan cannot easily adjust to this change.
Likewise, China hasn’t figured out how to deal with a neighbor that is still strong. China is particularly uneasy over what it sees as an unfriendly military alliance between the United States and Japan.
This psychological friction and lack of trust, plus rivalry over regional leadership, are the deep-rooted causes of unending friction in bilateral relations.
However, this kind of animosity is no good for either side. Other than a kind of emotional catharsis, neither side has anything to gain – unless another war breaks out between the two, so the winner can grab some benefit from the loser. But actually, given the high degree of economic interdependence between these two countries, the winner would lose much more than it would gain in such a fight.
The two need to view each other with a rational mindset. Although China cannot tolerate Japan’s interpretation of history – in which Japan denies its invasion of China and has not yet offered the so-called official apology China demands – it doesn’t have to stick to an attitude of hostile prejudice.
In the case of Japan, it will have to face the reality of China’s steady development. In brief, cooperation rather than confrontation is the only way forward for bilateral relations.
But willingness alone is not adequate. A realistic framework is required that can embrace the strengths of both nations and allow them to cooperate. That framework is the Northeast Asian Community.
China does not want to see Japan trying to keep a “balance” with China through its alliance with a third country. Japan also at present finds it hard to accept the reality that China may “take the lead” in this region. Under such circumstances, the framework that could engender mutual trust and long-term collaboration would be a regional community centered on these two.
In this community, the issue of leadership could be watered down to some degree. China and Japan could learn from France and Germany and become a “double engine” of regional cooperation. Or they could follow the “10+3” model between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China, Japan and South Korea to let the small countries take the driver’s seat while the big ones serve as the engine. In this way the issue of strong countries taking the lead could be avoided. In Northeast Asia, South Korea may be able to be such a driver.
Even so, the issue of regional leadership may inevitably arise in the end. But at least this approach could allow China and Japan to get through the most sensitive period in which their strengths are relatively balanced.
For some time into the future the strengths of the two are likely to remain approximately even, which will be the most sensitive period in terms of their respective regional leadership. Competition for leadership can be set aside until such time as one side pulls ahead of the other.
As Chinese, we should be confident that we can handle our relationship with Japan through normal competition rather than through blood and gunfire on the battlefield. This is the way to ensure the survival and development of a peaceful, safe and orderly international society.
On Sept. 16, Yukio Hatoyama took up his post as Japan’s new prime minister. His interest in building a Northeast Asian Community is very attractive. But he needs to deal with the impact of the U.S. factor on this community. Since the United States is its long-term ally, it is hard to imagine that Japan can truly move away from the United States and into Asia.
If Japan’s alliance with the United States is to be a factor in the construction of a regional community, it will confuse the relationships within the region and go against the establishment of lasting mutual trust and cooperation between China and Japan.
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(Li Kaisheng teaches international relations at Xiangtan University in Xiangtan city, Hunan province, China. He holds a doctorate in law. This article is translated and edited from the Chinese by UPI Asia.com; the original may be found at http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_4e20bb500100fed8.html ©Copyright Li Kaisheng.)
