Progress in China-Japan relations

The high-level visits planned for early 2008 are part of the effort to continue to improve the relationship. But symbolism needs to be bolstered by actual progress.

For that reason, China and Japan will open their first high-level economic dialogue in Beijing on Dec. 1.

This meeting, whose theme is “Cooperation, Win-Win and Coordinated Development,” is meant to provide a platform for the exchange of economic policies and development strategies. It will also be an opportunity to discuss bilateral economic concerns.

The meeting will focus on macroeconomic issues, energy conservation and environmental protection, trade and investment, and regional and international cooperation.

Since China replaced the United States as Japan’s biggest trading partner last year, there will be a lot to discuss. This relationship is crucial to both countries; political obstacles must be resolved through deft diplomacy and not be allowed to sour the relationship.

Currently, the main problem is the demarcation of the East China Sea because of the oil and gas resources beneath the seabed.

The two sides have held 11 rounds of talks on their overlapping claims, with the latest one on Nov. 14, but with little progress. In principle, they have agreed that the solution is joint development, but there appears to be no agreement beyond that.

It is clear that negotiators at the working level will be unable to make a breakthrough. So it is encouraging that the economic dialogue will be conducted at ministerial level, which increases the chances of success.

China apparently holds the upper hand because the Chinese are believed to have successfully mapped the entire seabed area and know which sites are more likely to be productively exploited, while the Japanese do not have this information.

Eventually, the issue may not be resolved until the leaders of both sides get involved, since there is a need for the two countries to demonstrate the political will to settle the matter.

Frank.ching@gmail.com

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