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Cooperation between Japan and China

May 1st, 2009 by James

Aso wearing helmet in China

Photo: Taro Aso visiting a factory in China

For some reporters, the lack of any bad news to report about Taro Aso’s visit to China is a newsworthy sign of improving relations between the two countries:

…after past years of icy hostility between Asia’s two economic powerhouses, the muted ordinariness of Aso’s visit was itself an achievement.

During the talks between Chinese and Japanese leaders, topics such as Yasukuni Shrine and the disputed Senkaku Islands were avoided, with both sides concentrating on immediate and important issues instead.



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6 Comments »

Comment by Maxim
2009-05-01 16:36:56

To avoid provocative issues might actually be the best way to improve relations. As the tone gradually becomes less emotional, concessions will be much easier to make on both sides. Practicality is more important than pride.

I’m starting to see a spectacular future superpower in an economic/technological/industrial union between China, Japan and Korea (Fingers crossed)

Comment by Mary Witzl
2009-05-01 22:34:02

A truly great East-Asian co-prosperity sphere that considered all parties’ interests equally would be wonderful, but only if lessons from history have been learned. And I agree that ‘avoiding provocative issues’ is a good idea — as long as this doesn’t mean whitewashing history.

 
Comment by ponta
2009-05-02 05:29:37

Japan/Korea and the U.S. have been relatively in good relations, avoiding, for instance, politicizing Hiroshima and Korean comfort women in Korea for GIs, though we are not sure if the parties concerned have learned lessons from history or if some parties might be whitewashing history.
Lessons from history can be learned without giving political priority to history.

 
 
Comment by Aki
2009-05-02 01:58:45

It was convenient for CCP to avoid provocative issues this time. They will pick up them anytime it is convenient for them to pick up.

Comment by Haru
2009-05-02 04:40:45

Way to destroy the positive mood, whitewasher.

 
 
Comment by Alex
2009-05-02 08:46:40

Photo caption: Fageddaboudit!

 
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