An Analysis Of Sino-Japanese Cooperation In The Context Of East Asia Regional Integration

The effective cooperation between China and Japan is essential for East Asia's regional integration. So far, China and Japan have made their own East Asian policies according to their respective interests. However, such independent policy-making cannot bring about the best possible results that both parties concerned desire, due to the geopolitical reality that China and Japan are neighboring powers within the East Asia region, as well as the complex and complementary nature of both countries'interactions in the areas of politics, economy, society, culture and security etc. Only through effective cooperation can China and Japan optimize the outcomes of their individual policies. Meanwhile, such cooperation is feasible because there are many common points in the two countries'East Asian policies, and both sides can adjust their policies in the process of interaction. Under a variety of international mechanisms, including the ASEAN+3 and ASEAN+1 frameworks, the China-Japan-Korea Summit, East Asia Summits, the ARF etc, Sino-Japanese cooperation already covers all fields relating to East Asia. But overall, this cooperation shows slow progress, weak institutional basis and a lack of positive interaction between China and Japan. It is to a large extent impeded by conflicts and differences at bilateral and regional levels. Analyses from the perspectives of power, interest and identity will allow a better and deeper understanding of these problems. Finally, this paper puts forward suggestions for promoting effective Sino-Japanese cooperation within the East Asia regional integration process, namely the strengthening of East Asian regional institutions and the promotion of a collective identity between China and Japan in relation to the East Asia region.