Olympic Boycott Tests China-Japan Relations... Chinese Media Pressure Japan

If Beijing Winter Olympics Boycott Follows US, Corresponding Retaliation Expected
China Sent Minister During Tokyo Olympics

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese state-run media are pressuring the Japanese government, stating that Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio's decision on whether to diplomatically boycott the '2022 Beijing Winter Olympics' will become a test for future China-Japan relations.

If the Japanese government officially joins the diplomatic boycott led by the United States, China has stated it will take corresponding retaliatory measures. Anti-Japanese sentiment is already heightened in China due to the 84th anniversary memorial ceremony of the Nanjing Massacre.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The state-run Global Times reported on the 14th in an article titled "Reconsidering China-Japan Relations at the Nanjing Massacre Memorial," stating that Japan, which left the Chinese people with the painful scars of a brutal war, is walking a path of right-wing nationalism without reflecting on its past history, and that the decision on whether to boycott the Beijing Winter Olympics will determine future China-Japan relations.

The outlet conveyed that in October, Chinese President Xi Jinping communicated messages of improving bilateral relations during a phone call with Prime Minister Kishida, indicating China's efforts to improve relations with Japan. Contrary to China's efforts, Japan is alleged to be colluding with the United States to contain China. The article also expressed concern that Japan is taking a wrong path by publicizing the Senkaku Islands (Diaoyu Islands) issue, making inappropriate statements regarding Taiwan, and visiting the Yasukuni Shrine.

Da Zegang, director of the Northeast Asia Research Institute at the Heilongjiang Academy of Social Sciences, said, "Japan is following the United States in stigmatizing China," adding, "The wrongful political actions of Japan's political circles are deteriorating the foundation of bilateral relations."

The Global Times cited experts, strongly pressuring the Japanese government by stating that if Japan decides to boycott, it would betray the trust of China, which has made efforts to improve relations with Japan.

The outlet mentioned the Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers' meeting, reporting that Japan has not yet made a prompt decision on the boycott. Indeed, Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa postponed the boycott decision at the G7 foreign ministers' meeting, stating, "We will make a decision at an appropriate time after comprehensively considering various issues."

China dispatched Gou Zhongwen, Director of the General Administration of Sport, to Japan during the Tokyo Olympics last July. China has indirectly and directly expressed the position that an official of equivalent rank should attend the Winter Olympics, given that a minister attended the Tokyo Olympics.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.