The Liberal Democratic Party Holds a Study Session on "China's Situation" Aiming to Break the Stalemate in Sino-Japanese Relations
As reported by Japan's Mainichi Shimbun on July 7: With Sino-Japanese relations growing colder, the LDP's International Department launched a study session on China's situation on July 7, featuring lectures by experts familiar with China, held over four sessions.
It is said that the purpose of the session is to deepen understanding, improve Sino-Japanese relations, and find a way forward. Around 80 LDP members participated.
Shinji Koizumi, acting head of the LDP’s International Affairs Bureau, told attendees: “If we just sit and wait, we’ll get very little information about China. We hope this opportunity allows us to leverage experts’ resources and listen to their insights.”
Subsequently, Professor Ryosei Kouno, emeritus professor at Keio University, delivered a lecture covering internal dynamics within China and recent developments in Sino-U.S. relations. He emphasized the "strategic mutual benefit relationship" explicitly stated in the 2008 Joint Statement between China and Japan, noting that the term reflects the importance of Sino-Japanese ties for the world.
Kouno added: “We are currently in a period lacking strategic mutual trust, but China has not yet rejected the concept of strategic mutual benefit. Japan and China still have the chance to return to the starting point.”
Sino-Japanese relations rapidly deteriorated following Takayuki Tachibana’s parliamentary response last November regarding the 'emergency state in Taiwan.'
China has intensified pressure on Japan in areas such as rare earths. A senior LDP figure commented: “If we continue to let Sino-Japanese relations deteriorate without taking measures, there will be no breakthrough.”
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1870061771016202/
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