China's Japan policy in the mid‐1990s: Adjusting to the evolving multipolar world∗

In November 1995, I visited the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing University, the Central Party School, the China Institute for International Strategic Studies as well as the Shanghai Institute of International Studies. I held extensive discussions with over 50 academics and research workers on Chinese foreign policy. To facilitate the exchange of ideas, they will not be quoted directly. Instead, their views will be summarised and presented as those of the Chinese research community on China's foreign policy.

Abstract

Both China and Japan have to adjust and redefine their foreign policies in view of the dramatic international changes since 1989 and their respective leadership succession processes in recent years. Sino‐Japanese relations are more fluid in the mid‐1990s than in any time since 1972; and their public perceptions of each other have been deteriorating. While both countries are deeply concerned with the potential military threat each other poses, their common interest in a peaceful international environment will help to maintain some goodwill towards each other. Their pursuit of a more significant role in the international community need not be, under these conditions, a zero‐sum game. At the same time, China will attempt to fit in the emerging pattern of future competition and interdependency between Japan, the NIEs in East Asia and the ASEAN countries.

Notes

In November 1995, I visited the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing University, the Central Party School, the China Institute for International Strategic Studies as well as the Shanghai Institute of International Studies. I held extensive discussions with over 50 academics and research workers on Chinese foreign policy. To facilitate the exchange of ideas, they will not be quoted directly. Instead, their views will be summarised and presented as those of the Chinese research community on China's foreign policy.