The thesis examines the shifts in the domestic and international affairs that China and Japan experienced and argues that it is the Chinese government that first triggered the deterioration of the bilateral relations. However, the Japanese government also bears some of the blame since it decided to fan the flames of conflict, instead of repairing the relations. Using Japan's reaction as a pretext, China continued the downward spiral, driving towards the intense situation we see today. This article presents the accounts that explain the amicable Sino-Japanese relations before 1994. It examines the factors that broke down the bilateral relations and CCP's motivations, together with its political gains and costs, in setting an anti-Japan agenda. It also examines Japan's negative reaction towards China's challenges on the relations. This paper concludes by showing China's continued efforts in bringing down the Sino-Japanese relations and China's ambitions - taking advantage of a declining Japan to re-arrange the order in the East Asian region.
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