40 Years of Love and Hate: Sino-Japanese Relations Since Diplomatic Normalisation

The 40th anniversary of the normalisation of Sino-Japanese relations is being marked in both countries with a series of events, exhibitions and cultural exchanges with the objective of promoting a ‘stable and future-oriented’ relationship. Yet public opinion polls regularly suggest that Chinese and Japanese people have a high degree of antipathy to each other. To some Japanese eyes, China has become more assertive against the backdrop of its economic rise, and looks like a potential aggressor. To Western eyes, there seem to be only negative factors and rivalry between the two countries. But they also enjoy cultural exchanges and other positive activities including goodwill visits between the Chinese People’s Liberation Army and the Japanese Self-Defence Forces. Professor Morio Matsumoto, with his decades of experience as a China specialist in the Japanese Foreign Ministry, will discuss the multifaceted relationship between the two countries. Professor Caroline Rose will consider the widening gap between official attempts to implement pragmatic, forward-thinking policies, and sentiments expressed at popular level, while focusing on the China-Japan relationship from various perspectives, and assessing the extent to which leaders on both sides have been successful in developing a mutually beneficial strategic relationship. The seminar will be chaired by Professor Barry Buzan, Emeritus Professor in International Relations at the London School of Economics.

Free but booking is essential at www.dajf.org.uk/bookin