As Japan and China marked 50 years since their 1972 normalization of diplomatic relations on Thursday, the two Asian neighbors now see their once-amicable ties changed to strained ones.
The days when friendship was based on bilateral economic ties have passed, and China, which has been expanding its military might against the backdrop of its growing national power, has repeatedly intimidated its neighbors. Tensions have cast a shadow over dialogue between the Japanese and Chinese leaders, and the realization of the "constructive and stable relationship" that both countries have sought is not in sight.
Even so, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages on Thursday to mark the anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties.
