Pessimism over ties with Japan

Tokyo's recent behavior, remarks harming relations, report says

A top Chinese think tank expressed pessimism about Sino-Japanese ties in 2013 because of Japan's policies and its hard-line stance on the Diaoyu Islands, according to a new report on Japan it released in Beijing on Friday.

Japan's policy toward China will focus more on its economic interests and seek "more effective countermeasures" to improve bilateral ties, according to the Blue Book of Japan: Annual Report on Research of Japan (2013), jointly published by the Institute of Japanese Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Social Sciences Academic Press.

The outlook for the future relationship depends heavily on two unknowns — US President Barack Obama's policy toward Japan in his second term, and the development of Japan's own economy, it said.

Japanese politicians' recent provocative remarks and behavior have sent negative messages, experts said.

"China has made many efforts to mend ties, including inviting Japanese friends and important political figures to visit China, but these efforts were not reciprocated," said Li Wei, chief editor of the blue book and director of the institute.

It's difficult for China to initiate a meeting with leaders from both sides to discuss the situation in the current environment, she said.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's position and remarks on the row over the Diaoyu Islands have been inconsistent since he assumed office, said Zhang Haiwen, deputy director of the China Institute for Marine Affairs.

Abe did not learn lessons from his predecessor, Yoshihiko Noda, and Abe's unilateral behavior will not help ease the nearly year-old strained relations over the islands, he added.

The blue book said Abe's Cabinet has been aggressively building its strength since taking office, and aims to enlarge its geopolitical influence, taking advantage of the US' "Back to Asia" policy.