Development of Sino-Japanese relations over the past three decades 

Source: CCTV.com

10-08-2006 19:18

We'll take a look now at the development of Sino-Japanese relations over the past three decades.

China and Japan resumed normal diplomatic ties in 1972. Since then, they've made significant progress through exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

The first visit by a Japanese emperor was made in 1992.

Six year later in 1998, Chinese President Jiang Zemin made an official visit to Japan, the first such visit by a Chinese head of state.

The two sides issued a Joint Declaration, declaring the establishment of a partnership of friendship and cooperation for peace and development.

China and Japan agreed to maintain the dialogue process after concluding their first strategic talks in Beijing last year.

The ruling parties from both countries also launched their first ever meeting under the China-Japan Ruling Parties Exchange Mechanism in Beijing this February.

Japan was China's number one partner for eleven years till 2003, after which it dropped to third behind the European Union and the United States.

Last year, bilateral trade volume reached almost 170 billion US dollars, up 160 times from the time of normalized ties.

Cultural exchanges have enjoyed comprehensive development, at both the governmental and non-governmental levels in various fields.

But disagreements on sensitive issues have put serious strains on China-Japan ties.

The Chinese government has urged the Japanese side to make joint efforts to push the bilateral relations to develop in a healthy, steady way.

Bilateral political relations

- 1972: Japanese PM Kakuei Tanaka visits China; Sino-Japanese Joint Statement signed; diplomatic relations restored.

- 1978: Treaty of Peace and Friendship between China and Japan signed.

- 1992: Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visit China.

- 1998: Chinese President Jiang Zemin visits Japan; Sino-Japanese Joint Declaration issued.

- 2005: 1st bilateral strategic talks

- 2006: 1st meeting between China's and Japan's ruling parties

China-Japan trade

- 2005: Trade volume reaches US$170 billion

Cultural exchange

- 1979: Agreement for Promoting Cultural Exchanges signed

Sensitive issues

- History and Textbooks;

- Taiwan; Diaoyu Islands;

- Japanese-American Security Cooperation;

- War Reparations;

- Japanese Chemical Weapons Discarded in China.

 

Editor:Sun Luying