In recent years, while the economic and trade relations between China and Japan are getting better and better, the political relations between the two sides have further slipped into the abyss of indifference. The contrast between the two is so great that unless the political situation is improved, it is almost impossible for economic relations to continue. Sino-Japanese relations have always been a sensitive topic. Quite a few people in China gnash their teeth and are filled with indignation when they talk about Japan. So what are the problems that lead to the current situation of Sino-Japanese relations, and how should we treat and handle Sino-Japanese relations correctly? From a personal point of view, I will briefly talk about my views on Sino-Japanese relations. I. Current situation of Sino-Japanese relations 1. The growing economic and trade relations between the two countries. In the whole Sino-Japanese relationship, economic cooperation occupies a central position and is of great significance to the whole Sino-Japanese relationship. Judging from the current situation, China and Japan are one of the most important economic cooperation partners. In terms of trade, Japan has been China's largest trading partner since 1 1. For the Japanese, China is also one of the major trading partners. Looking back on the development history of Sino-Japanese relations since the war, people can see that economic cooperation has promoted the overall improvement of Sino-Japanese relations. In the long historical era, trade cooperation has been continuously strengthened through non-governmental channels, which has promoted the development of relations in the political and cultural fields, and finally strengthened through long-term accumulation, which has promoted the development of relations in the political and cultural fields and finally contributed to the normalization of Sino-Japanese relations. After the normalization of relations between the two countries in the 1970s, in the first critical period, economic relations, especially trade exchanges, played a great role in promoting the healthy development of Sino-Japanese relations. Even though there are political negotiations between China and Japan, even in the face of a very severe situation, economic cooperation is constantly developing and becoming an important factor in improving relations between the two countries. However, the deepening of economic relations between the two countries may not necessarily enhance the mutual trust between the two governments and nationals. Facts have proved that economic interdependence is only a necessary condition for the stable development of bilateral relations, but it is not a sufficient condition. Because there is also the "toughness" of political relations. 2. Stalled Sino-Japanese political relations. The most obvious sign of this is that the exchange of visits between heads of state or government of China and Japan has not been realized in recent years, which is not normal for two countries close at hand. The biggest political obstacle between the two countries is the historical issue. As a scholar said, although the war between the two countries has long since ended, this heavy historical legacy has been passed down from generation to generation. The long-term state of war shattered the beautiful feelings and peaceful atmosphere of mutual learning and admiration between the two peoples since ancient times, and the national sentiment began to reverse. The depth, duration and scope of the impact of this reversal on Sino-Japanese relations cannot be overestimated. Historical issues are accompanied by differences between the two countries on Taiwan Province Province, territorial issues and Japan-US security issues. The existence of this series of differences in principle, coupled with the occurrence of several specific events in recent years, such as visiting the Yasukuni Shrine. Second, the crux of Sino-Japanese relations is 1, and the two great powers merge into one. In Asia, the comprehensive national strength of China and Japan is rising, which will be a force to be reckoned with in the future world multipolarization. Sooner or later, Japan will become a political power, which is the same inevitable trend as China becoming an economic power. Saying goodbye to the era of "one strong and one weak", China and Japan must adapt to mutual tolerance and mutual acceptance. If each side regards the other as an opponent who threatens itself and tries to unite with other forces to contain the other side, it will inevitably lead to dangerous confrontation, thus endangering peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. If we regard each other as partners who compete with each other, cooperate with each other and promote each other, it is possible to build a new pattern of bilateral relations, thus contributing to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and even the whole world. Sino-Japanese economic relations are at a major turning point, that is, the Japanese economy is changing from absolute advantage to relative advantage. This transition will last for some time, and contradictions between the two countries will continue to emerge. Japanese people's tolerance will be relatively reduced, while China's ability to cope is still limited, and it is easy to aggravate contradictions unnecessarily. 2. The political friction between China and Japan and the one-sided reports of the mass media not only hinder the two countries from enhancing mutual understanding, but also constantly create new mutual misunderstandings and even hostility. The differences in system and ideology and the asymmetry of western cultural influence will also offset the same cultural foundation between China and Japan. In recent years, there has been so-called "emotional friction" between Chinese and Japanese nationals, so that Japan's domestic political situation surrounding its China policy is very delicate, and even the economic circles are inconvenient to express their "heartfelt wishes" for developing Japan-China economic relations. This tendency to sacrifice the interests of the two countries and even the cooperation interests of the whole East Asia region for political and emotional factors is very sad. 3. Understanding of Japan. At present, Japan's psychology is very complicated, and the once brilliant economy is now in a downturn. Japan should frankly acknowledge and accept the fact that regional countries compete and cooperate on the same platform according to the principle of complementary advantages. Japan should get rid of the following concepts: (1) pursuing global free trade and not joining regional discriminatory economic and trade organizations; (2) Continue to pursue the dominant position in East Asia and maintain the vertical division of labor system in East Asia; (3) Under the pressure of domestic politics, in order to protect the votes, we dare not open some vulnerable areas in China; (4) Avoiding history, thinking that apology will damage Japan's image. Japan should face history and reality bravely. To become a normal big country, we must first act with the attitude and discretion of a normal big country, and no matter what obstacles and difficulties we encounter, we will remain unchanged. Only in this way, with the passage of time, neighboring countries can agree with you. Third, promote the progress of Sino-Japanese relations in East Asian economic cooperation. After years of conflicts and cooperation, both China and Japan have more clearly realized that no matter how the world changes, no matter how the other side develops, whether they are willing or not, the geographical position of the two countries cannot be changed; As Asian powers, the great influence of the two countries on peace and security in Asia cannot be changed; The interdependence of the two countries in regional economy cannot be changed. It is these unchangeable objective existence that make it necessary and possible for the two countries to cooperate. This cooperation is based on reason rather than emotion, reality rather than idealism, mutual need rather than wishful thinking. It is precisely because of this that this kind of interest can always overcome the disharmony and unhappiness in the relations between the two countries again and again, so that the relations between the two countries, which are almost deteriorating, can be saved again and again. Friendship was originally achieved by overcoming and adjusting differences and understanding and respecting each other in communication. For strategic, tactical or historical reasons, it is too old-fashioned, too expedient and too superficial to perform a friendly atmosphere. There are actually some cornerstones of Sino-Japanese friendship: First, the two countries have a long history and are culturally compatible; Second, as neighboring countries, they need to establish security guarantees with each other; Third, under the market economy and free trade, as a trading partner and cooperative partner, * * * meets the needs of prosperity. With the deepening of exchanges, the past problems have not been solved, new problems have emerged constantly, and the "differences" between the two countries have collided. However, this is not a bad thing, because this collision is also an opportunity to get things back to normal. The real normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan should be the result of the collision of sincerity and sincerity. In this sense, the friction between China and Japan provides us with the end of the problem research. Generally speaking, the role of external factors in Sino-Japanese relations is often greater than that of direct interaction between China and Japan, which may be a special law in Sino-Japanese relations. We may have to start with external integration and explore the future of Sino-Japanese relations along this law, so as to effectively solve the contradictions and problems in Sino-Japanese relations. In other words, the solution to the contradiction between China and Japan lies not in the relationship itself, but in whether the two sides have a strategic vision. First, they are committed to Asian integration. Of course, the first step is the economic integration of East Asia. On the one hand, the greatest hope of Sino-Japanese relations lies in promoting economic cooperation in East Asia, which is the only way for China and Japan to resolve historical grievances, get out of the crisis of confidence, overcome the security dilemma and achieve a win-win situation. On the one hand, the future of regional cooperation depends largely on the development of Sino-Japanese relations, because China and Japan are the two most influential countries in East Asia; On the other hand, regional cooperation is also conducive to solving the problems between the two countries, because many problems between China and Japan are difficult to resolve at the bilateral level. However, both China and Japan participate in regional cooperation, which provides greater space for exchanges between the two countries. In addition to building trust between the two countries, regional cooperation mechanisms can also be a positive factor to ease domestic pressure and provide more space for leaders to work hard to improve bilateral relations. On the other hand, the success of East Asian economic cooperation cannot be separated from China and Japan. China's population accounts for more than 60% of East Asia's population, and Japanese GDP accounts for more than 60% of East Asia. East Asia needs Sino-Japanese cooperation, and neither side can rule it out. If Japan and China run counter to each other in the end, it will change the strategic situation in East Asia as a whole, and make this situation develop in a direction unfavorable to China. If Sino-Japanese relations only stay at the economic level and cannot make a breakthrough at the political level, then Sino-Japanese economic cooperation may also move towards "bubble economic cooperation". In fact, this trend has already appeared. The Japanese began to look for the next market to replace China. It may be inevitable that Japanese technology and investment will turn to India and Russia. So how can China and Japan cooperate better in East Asia? First of all, Japan must summon up courage to face past crimes. It must understand that a country cannot become a "normal" country no matter how hard it tries. Because the image of a country is not imagined by itself, it must be confirmed in the interaction with other countries. Therefore, Japan must learn from Germany and implement the official "reconciliation" policy in order to successfully reach a reconciliation with the injured countries in the past. Only in this way can Japan be regarded as a natural leader in Asian affairs and establish more constructive relations with China and other East Asian countries. Secondly, and more importantly, both Japan and China should give up the illusion of gaining a special dominant position in East Asia: neither can do it. There are too many external forces involved in East Asia, and no East Asian country can control this region alone. Therefore, these two countries must understand that competing for the dominance of East Asia will not only waste valuable resources, but also waste valuable time-although it may be a good thing for them to compete for trade liberalization and regional integration. In the process of East Asian economic cooperation, China and Japan should strive to get rid of the thinking of competing for leadership and establish a cooperation mechanism led by ASEAN. Leadership is not an arduous struggle, but a natural development process, and the result of the leadership struggle can only be mutual loss. Asia in the future cannot be China's Asia or Japan's Asia, but only United Asia, Asia's China and Asia's Japan. Reconciliation and cooperation between China and Japan will greatly promote the cause of East Asian unity. In fact, China has never thought of competing with Japan for dominance, which is determined not only by subjective will, but also by objective conditions. The economies of China and Japan are highly complementary rather than competitive, and cooperation between the two countries can only be supported by joint efforts.