In what ways have relations between China and Japan developed since 1949 - Essay Example

However, the most notable facet in their relationship is their strategic involvement in the administration of their Asia Pacific multilateral cooperation, and more largely those of East Asia as a whole. Thus, the aim of this paper is to evaluate ways in which the relations between China and Japan have developed since 1949. From early 1940s, China has continuously expressed its displeasure in every actions that it perceived Japan was trying to chart an autonomous role for itself (Sutter, 2012, p. 175). China also harbored a mixed view of Japan being a potential threat, while at the same time Japan being a host to a huge US military presence aimed at countering China influence and push.

Such apprehensions o led China to sign treaties aimed at countering Japan, such as the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship with the intention of defending it against any perceived Japanese invasion (Sutter, 2012, p. 271). From 1949 all through to end of 1950s, China formulated policies that sought to sway Japan through trade, in what was referred to as people’s diplomacy (Sutter, 2012, p. 4). Such engagements were conducted in conjunction with establishing acquaintances with Japan opposition political organizations, coupled with the exertion of pressure on Japan to sever ties with Taiwan.

Hence, relations between China and Japan deteriorated during late 1950s, especially, when Chinese mounted their pressure. However, following the collapse of Sino-Soviet relations, economic inevitability resulted in China communist government to reassess and rejuvenate its trade relations with Japan (Jian & Drew, 2009, ch 4). During the 1960 in what became the Cultural Revolution, China-Japan relations declined again due to Japan increasingly strength and self-rule from US (Saunders, 2008, p. 128). The communist government became concerned that, Japan will eventually re-militarize, so as to compensate for US condensed military presence across Asia under President Richard Nixon policies.