Sino-Japanese normalization of relations

The People's Republic of China and Japan established formal diplomatic relations in 1972. At the time, however, Japan had extensive and valuable economic relations with the Repbulic of China on Taiwan. One of the issues that had to be worked out in the full normalization of relations between the P.R.C. and Japan involved the search for a diplomatic formula whereby the P.R.C. could be assured of its "sovereignty" over what was seen as the "province" of Taiwan while Japan could be assured of its retention of economic relations with what was in reality a separate and distinct Taiwan. The formula emerged during the difficult Sino-Japanese negotiation of a civil aviation agreement.

A second major issue in the normalization process arose when Japan and the P.R.C. later began negotiation what ultimately became the Peace and Friendship Treaty. The P.R.C. insisted on the inclusion in this treaty of an "antihegemony" clause that was rather clearly aimed at the Soviet Union. As a result, Japan found herself trying to deal with the P.R.C. without offending the Soviet Union. Matters were further complicated because the government had to manage this issue as well others without jeopardizing its close ties with the United States.