Japan and China come closer in the era of the American trade war

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The meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (G) and Chinese President Xi Jinping, on the sidelines of APEC in 2014, began a timid thaw. REUTERS / Kim Kyung-Hoon

Shinzo Abe begins a three-day visit to Beijing. This is the first official visit of a Japanese Prime Minister to China for seven years. In 2012, the Japanese nationalization of the Senkaku Islands, called Diaoyu by the Chinese who want to control them, had considerably increased tensions between the two countries. The purpose of this visit is "a return to normal relations", after the tensions caused.

With the arrival of Donald Trump in power, the situation has changed significantly for both countries. Beijing and Tokyo have every interest in improving their relations. China is seeking support to counter the many tariffs imposed by the United States. On a smaller scale, Tokyo has the same problem: being Washington's main ally in the region has not prevented it from being taxed on steel and aluminum.

" Shinzo Abe and Xi Jinping fully understand that to have a better economy, political relations must be better ," said Hosoya Yuichi, professor of international relations at Tokyo's Jeio University. In 2010-2011, because of Senkaku, we had a very tense relationship. China then tried to separate political issues from economic relations, but it did not succeed. For Shinzo Abe as Xi Jinping, the number one goal is the economy of his own country. There are still many issues of tension, but as long as they remain pragmatic, they will continue to build a better relationship . "

Shinzo Abe goes to China with no less than 500 businessmen. Beijing may be Tokyo's largest trading partner, but Japanese companies want better access to the Chinese market. And China is interested in Japanese technology and the know-how of its companies.

Partnerships in Asia

The two countries could announce joint investments in third countries, for example the Philippines. And the Japanese Prime Minister has expressed interest in the new silk roads , said Naoko Eto, a researcher at the Chiba Economic Development Institute.

" Japan wants to cooperate with China in third countries, because what China is doing with its silk routes now seems problematic. Tokyo wants to alleviate these problems, while at the same time benefiting from economic cooperation. For example in Thailand, or using the railway that goes from China to Europe. I think that originally, the private sector in Japan wanted a better economic relationship with less political risk. "

Beijing and Tokyo have every interest in overcoming tensions, explains Naoko Eto. " Both countries believe that a better relationship will benefit Northeast Asia. We know that we have to take into account territorial disputes, but we are looking for areas where we can cooperate, and show the world this cooperation. "

Avoid tensions

Shinzo Abe as Xi Jinping should therefore avoid the subject that annoy, like the Chinese ambitions in the South China Sea. Just last week, Japan was protesting a new incursion of Chinese ships near the Senkaku Islands.

But the purpose of this visit is a return to normal relations. Shinzo Abe should take the opportunity to invite Xi Jinping to come to Japan. The Chinese president who, for his part, could quickly lend giant pandas in Japan.