It’s been described as one of most important international relationships in the world. And this year marks the 40th anniversary. Japan and China officially established diplomatic ties in September 1972. Since then the two countries have shared many ups and downs in what has often been a tense relationship. Recent diplomatic spats and disputes over territory have not helped either country’s image of each other. At the same time trade between the two Asian giants is booming. So what does the future hold for this partnership? What do Chinese and Japanese people think of each other? And what are both countries doing to strengthen cultural ties? Dominic Swire attempts to answer these questions and more with this report from Beijing, Tokyo and Sendai.
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