The World’s Most Dangerous Rivalry: China and Japan

http://nationalinterest.org/feature/the-world%E2%80%99s-most-dangerous-rivalry-china-japan-11374

September-October 2014 Issue out now!

The World’s Most Dangerous Rivalry: China and Japan

The East China Sea—thanks to tensions between China and Japan—can accurately be described as the most dangerous place on the entire planet. Yet, writings in China suggest compromise is certainly possible.

Lyle J. Goldstein

September 29, 2014inShare2

Editor’s Note: The following is part two of a new occasional series named “Dragon Eye” which seeks insight and analysis from Chinese writings on world affairs. Part one of the series, “What Does China Really Think About the Ukraine Crisis?” can be found here.
The East China Sea—thanks to tensions between China and Japan—can accurately be described as the most dangerous place on the entire planet.  It is entirely conceivable that one of the many coast guard vessels on either side patrolling the contested islets could suddenly come under fire or, more likely still, become severely damaged in a bumping incident (of the type that has occurred recently in the South China Sea).  In such circumstances, the steps from gun fire to exchanging volleys of anti-ship missiles between the fleets, to theater wide attacks on major bases, to all out global war could be all too abrupt.
Hollywood, which is perennially looking for apocalyptic scenarios, may want to examine contemporary China-Japan relations for developing next summer’s blockbuster suspense film.  Thankfully, however, some momentum appears to be building to arrest the downward spiral in this extremely crucial bilateral relationship.  Recent low key diplomatic steps are undergirded by some reasonable voices that have bravely stepped forward in the Chinese foreign policy debate to try to reign in the two East Asian powers on the precipice. http://nationalinterest.org/feature/the-world%E2%80%99s-most-dangerous-rivalry-china-japan-11374