China and Japan are neighbour countries separated by a strip of the Pacific Ocean. They are categorically placed in the second and third place respectively in terms of the world’s best economy. Studies indicate that they are the most superior and largest economies in Asia. This therefore means that their relationship is very crucial to the whole world as it is in their continent since they play a big role in both.
The relationship between the two countries was in the past not very good. They had territorial and political disputes that greatly affected their relationship. An example was the famous war known as the battle of Baekgang that happened in about 663 AD (Roskin, M., & Berry, N, 2010, p.45). However, with time peace regained after negotiations and in the mid-1990s trade between the two countries was established. Japan became China’s most important trading partner making its economy grow rapidly to the point of posing a great threat to the United States of America. China is known for its high population that offers labour to the manufacturing industries.
After a couple of conferences by the leaders of the two nations their relationship begun catching up hence moving from the competitive relationship they had before to a complimentary one. Japan has for a long time been known to produce high valued technology products like motor vehicles, industrial machines just to mention but a few. On the other hand, China produces low valued technology products including electronics and many others. This therefore reduces the likelihood of competition between the two countries.
Their relationship also entails cultural exchanges between the two countries where the citizens of one nation attend cultural events organised by the other. Some of these include one held in Beijing- China which was a classical on The Beauty and the Beast as well as the Chinese Film Week held in Tokyo (Roskin, M., & Berry, N, 2010, p.67). The attendance of such events strengthens the bond between both nations. From their close relationship, it can be said that Japan has been greatly influenced by its partner China.
Most of the architectural designs, laws and religions in Japan have their origin in China. China has also benefited from this relationship especially after it made reforms in its economy. Its economy has been rapidly growing because of Japan’s support whose economy has been growing at a slower rate as compared to that of China. Both nations also face a problem of insufficient natural resources to cater for their large populations. However, on realisation of this during World War Two Japan acted quickly to improve on its economy. The two countries recently disputed on rare earth metals which they use in their processes to manufacture most electrical appliances.
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that the relationship between China and Japan is one unpredictable phenomenon. This is due to the fact that once conflicts are solved something else crops out to ruin the created good relationship. It can also be said that most conflicts that arise are because both nations are trying to develop their economies. In most incidences, the United States of America has been acting as mediators to solve issues affecting the two nations. On the other hand, it should also be considered that there are times when the China and Japan have been having mutual beneficial relationships.
Reference List
Roskin, M., & Berry, N. (2010). IR: The new world of international relations: 2010 edition (8th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Longman/Pearson Education.