Is the Ice Melting?

The reciprocating visit to Japan by Premier Wen Jiabao, after Shinzo Abe's ice-breaking visit to China in 2006, is hailed as ice-melting trip. Media on both sides give positive reports and comments on this event, which is not a usual case.

This year is the The 30th Anniversary of the Normalization of Japan-China Relations ". With the raise of the dragon, Japan pays more and more attention, positively and negatively on the relationship with his neighbor. On the side of China, central government realizes the importance of his biggest trade partner (total trade between China and Japan amounted to $214.62 billion.), meanwhile, China also keeps calling for official and concrete apologies for the WWII.

(above: left, Jiabao Wen; right, Shinzo Abe)

There are lots of conflicts between these two neighbors, except for the hatred caused by WWII.

For example, Japan is afraid of the Chinese rapid expansion in national defense expense and modernizations of military power in recent years. Especially, China has the unclear technology. Because Japan once was bombed by two atom bombs, Japanese extremely worries about this. Now, the close friend of Chinese, North Korean, also commands the unclear technology, which nerves Japan a lot and accelerates the marriage of Japan and USA.

Another sensitive issue is about Taiwan. It is more complicated than I can explain. Basically, China is hesitating to take military actions to Taiwan, due to the possible interference of America. If America get involved in this battle, as an alien, Japan claims that they have the obligation to help America.

The above issues are the main icebergs between China and Japan: WWII historical hatred, Upgraded military thread, and Taiwan issue. We don't expect those problems would be solved in the primers' visits. It takes time to these two countries to find common language to talk, and common benefits to share. But, personally, I hope one day, the Asian Union would occur, following the successful example of EU.