The Second Japan-China Dialogue Convened "Asia in the New Century and Japan-China Relations"

The Global Forum of Japan (GFJ) and the China Association for International Friendly Contact (CAIFC), with support from the Tokyo Club, co-sponsored the second Japan-China Dialogue on the theme of "Asia in the New Century and Japan-China Relations" at the International House of Japan in Tokyo on July 13-14, 2000. After a dinner on the evening of the 13th to welcome the Chinese participants hosted by Amb. Okawara Yoshio, GFJ Chairman, there was a full day of lively discussions in the morning, lunch and afternoon sessions of the 14th between the 50 participants from Japan and China, made up mainly of GFJ Members.

Participants lively exchanging views in the morning session

Politics and Security

The morning session of the 14th was chaired by Prof. Ito Kenichi, Governor and Executive Director of GFJ, with the dialogue centering on political and security issues. The keynote speech was delivered by Mr. Soeya Yoshihide, GFJ Member and Professor, Keio University. Prof. Soeya stated that in the Asia of the next century the system of US supremacy would prevail with an undercurrent of resistance by China and Russia forming. In relation to this, he stated that democratic globalism is becoming the mainstream. Although throughout the world US supremacy and democratic globalism is becoming the norm, US unilateralism would complicate this trend. China, which views democratic globalism and US unilateralism as one and the same, is resisting this trend. Nevertheless, for the China of the 21st century, democracy will be a long-term issue. Prof. Soeya, in relation to the complication of democratization by US unilateralism, went on to say in his keynote speech that Japan and China could cooperate on the matter.

In reply to the keynote speech, the three Commentators, Mr. Qin Yongchun, Advisor, Center for Peace and Development Studies, CAIFC, Mr. Kojima Tomoyuki, Professor, Keio University and Mr. Gao Haikuan, Director, Center for Peace and Development Studies, CAIFC, as well as participants put forward the following opinions for and against the keynote speech. Namely, that democratic globalism should be a starting point for Japan's relations with China and that the permeation of democracy in China should encourage improved relations with Taiwan. Furthermore, that for Japan, the Japan-US alliance was important. However, that good relations with China must also be preserved. Lastly, that the China-Taiwan problem is an issue that must be solved between Chinese themselves, without interventions from other countries.

Mr. Zhang Yuenfang, Vice Director, Development Research Center of the State Council, giving his keynote speech in the afternoon session (second from the left)

Ambassador ad. Interim Chen Yonghua delivering his speech at the Lecture Luncheon (center)

Economics and Trade

In the afternoon session, Mr. Gao Haikuan, Director, Center for Peace and Development Studies, assumed the role of Chairperson, with discussion focusing on economics and trade. To begin with Mr. Zhang Yuenfang, Vice Director, Development Research Center of the State Council, in his keynote speech stated that East Asian economies were well on the road to recovery from the 1997 financial crisis as a result of economic structural reform. The political situation was also steadily becoming stable and peaceful, thereby providing political security conducive to economic development to the region. Mr. Zhang predicted that the development of Western China would become a new issue for economic cooperation between China and Japan after China was admitted into the WTO and expounded that China and Japan should cooperate in a variety of fields such as environmental protection, energy development use, comprehensive agriculture development, transport infrastructure etc.

Following the keynote speech, comments were given by Mr. Nakagane Katsuji, Professor, University of Tokyo, Mr. Luou Xienjan, Executive Director, China Beijing Corporation for International Economic Cooperation, and Mr. Mogi Yuzaburo, President and CEO, Kikkoman Corporation, as well as by participants. Some of the opinions offered were that as far as the economies of both countries are concerned, a new competitive as well as cooperative relationship was in order. Also, that in the midst of the current IT revolution, both countries should cooperate in developing human resources proficient in high-tech fields. Moreover, that Japanese industries should transfer environmental protection technologies more actively to China, thereby contributing to the resolution of the environmental problems in the region.

Additionally, at the Lecture Luncheon, also held on the 14th, Mr. Chen Yonghua, Ambassador ad. Interim, Embassy of the People's Republic of China, in his keynote speech entitled "Looking toward Peace and Development in the Asia-Pacific Region", emphasized the great opportunities for the development of friendly Japan-China relations, which left a deep impression on all present. On the evening of the 17th, a farewell dinner was held by Prof. Ito Kenichi, Governor and Executive Director of GFJ, at his residence. The dinner carried on until late in the evening in an amicable atmosphere with friendships being strengthened.