China’s difficult relations with Japan

Abstract

Starting from an exploration of unsettled historical memories and anti-Japanese nationalism, this article moves on to examine how Chinese pragmatism helped maintain a superficial friendship for several decades after the normalization of the diplomatic relationship, and how China’s perception of a shifting power balance in its favor led to its increasingly assertive position in territorial disputes. It then analyzes China’s efforts to force Japan to agree to its terms in the solution of historical and territorial disputes, and the need for rationality in China.