China and Japan: Behind and Beyond Conflict

A Special One-Day Seminar at the Australian National University

On the 5th of May, the International Centre for Excellence in Asia-Pacific Studies hosted a seminar on recent diplomatic frictions between China and Japan. Over 150 people attended including undergraduate students, postgraduate students, ANU academic staff, public servants from the Department of Defence and ONA, and embassy representatives.

Professor Kiichi Fujiwara, Tokyo University

The headline speakers were Professor Jia Qingguo of Beijing University and Professor Kiichi Fujiwara of Tokyo University.

The speakers illuminated a range of factors that contributed to the friction, including the issues of wartime atonement, economic cooperation, UN Security Council reform, domestic politics, and liberal and conservative factions within both countries and their media.

Their speeches were followed by a lively question and answer session, including contributions from academics, students and diplomats from both governments. Later discussions were stimulated by speeches from Tessa Morris-Suzuki, Peter Van Ness, Geremie Barme and Stuart Harris.

The topic proved to be a popular one; organisers had to move the seminar to the University House Great Hall due to the large number of participants. The seminar highlighted the level of interest in Chinese-Japan relations in Australia, the strength of the ANU as host, and the agility of the ICEAPS Centre in responding to public interest in a pressing issue in Asia-Pacific affairs.