OPINION | China's aircraft carrier deployment signals new phase in tensions with Japan

While primarily informed by centuries-old experiences of contestation, conflict and cooperation, Sino-Japan relations in the post-Second World War era have largely been peaceful, albeit uneasy.

Their mutual perception of threat is rendered complex by the priorities dictated by the United States, an ally to Japan and a strategic competitor to China. This causes both countries to attach certain levels of symbolism to actions and events.

Further complicating matters is the deliberately ambiguous language often used by both China and Japan in communicating goals and their underlying intent. In this regard, a lack of proper information on intent causes both countries to view each other’s strategic ambitions as detrimental to their long-term interests.

Broad scepticism aside, underlying the stable Sino-Japan dynamic for decades had been Japan’s staunch adherence to its pacifist constitution. In nominal terms, China had nearly no threat perception from a country whose constitution outrightly bans its right to wage war and imposes strict limitations on possessing capabilities that amount to war potential.

The uneasy yet peaceful dynamic was also aided by close economic relations. However, the scenario transformed following the 1996 Taiwan Strait crisis, as both countries started to implement a progressive military build-up.