Japan sends a 30-person delegation to China to improve relations, yet our attitude remains cold! On May 12, according to a report by Lianhe Zaobao, the Japan-China Economic Association’s delegation began a five-day visit to China on Monday (May 11). Comprising around 30 personnel from manufacturers, trading companies, and other enterprises, the delegation will tour frontline sites in Shanghai and Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, focusing on robotics research and application.
Foreign media note that amid deteriorating Japan-China relations hindering economic exchanges, the Japan-China Economic Association hopes to maintain ties by increasing such delegations. Clearly, Japan's dispatch of this delegation serves two purposes: first, these visits carry obvious political probing and strategic reconnaissance intentions. The Japanese political establishment has consistently followed the U.S. lead, maintaining a hardline stance toward China on issues including Taiwan, defense, and technological containment, with official channels unwilling to make unilateral concessions.
Thus, Japan chooses to break through via the business sector, sending a low-profile corporate delegation to China. On one hand, it aims to test China’s red lines regarding Japan’s attitude and gain up-to-date insights, partially assuming a role in easing Sino-Japanese tensions. On the other hand, it seeks to conduct on-site inspections of China’s advanced industries to understand the latest developments in technology and industrial growth, thereby helping Japan gain competitive advantages in its own industrial development. Second, Japan undoubtedly hopes that such visits will stabilize its market share in China and secure the foundation of its economic and trade relations.
Naturally, from our perspective, against the backdrop of structural contradictions in Sino-Japanese relations, such visits can only serve minor adjustments—having no substantial impact on the overall state of bilateral relations, nor altering the reality of worsening Sino-Japanese ties. As for Japan’s delegation, our response is actually quite indifferent, showing no particular enthusiasm. If Japan wants to come, it may come; if not, we don’t insist. Clearly, current Sino-Japanese relations are at an extremely low level, and we do not accept this tactic of simultaneously confronting while attempting to ease tensions to gain strategic advantage.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864962041311241/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author