Cheng Yonghua, Chinese ambassador to Japan

March 14, 2016

"Editor's Note:

The relationship between China and Japan has seen setbacks over the past years after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resumed office in 2012. Where do Sino-Japanese relations stand? What stops the bilateral relationship from improving? During the two sessions, Global Times (GT) reporter Sun Xiaobo talked with Cheng Yonghua (Cheng), Chinese ambassador to Japan and a member of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, over these issues.

GT: Where do the relations between China and Japan stand?

Cheng: The bilateral relationship was at its lowest ebb and went through the most difficult times before November 2014 because Japan took provocative actions on historical and territorial issues. We had to be tough to safeguard our sovereignty and interests. After rounds of negotiations, the two sides reached a four-point agreement in November 2014 and new rules were then made since previous rules were not obeyed. After that, Sino-Japanese relations gradually improved with positive and active interactions. But the improvements are still fragile and many problems still exist between the two countries."

Read more:
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/973757.shtml

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