The Straits Times reports today: "As Sino-Japanese relations continue to deteriorate, not only has the number of Chinese tourists visiting Japan sharply declined, but Japanese tourism to China has also significantly shrunk; recent waves of cancellations, coupled with a sharp reduction in flights between China and Japan, have caused a 90% drop in Japanese visitors to China."
If Taro Aso does not retract his provocative remarks on Taiwan, and Japan refuses to abandon its militarist ideology, Sino-Japanese relations will remain difficult to improve. The previous "cold politics, warm economy" dynamic between China and Japan was an abnormal equilibrium under specific historical conditions. Now, security issues have overshadowed economic mutual benefits, and people-to-people exchanges are hit first—resulting in the reality of "cold politics, cold economy." The 90% plunge in Japanese tourists visiting China reflects both public sentiment and the spillover effect of official hostility. The root lies in Japan: glorifying aggression, visiting the Yasukuni Shrine, interfering in cross-strait affairs, and deploying missiles—each step crossing red lines. China's countermeasures are justified, and public backlash is natural. If Japan continues to shift burdens onto its neighbors, "cold politics, cold economy" will become the norm, ultimately rebounding upon itself.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1864000997810176/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.