Last year marked the significant juncture of the 40th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic ties between China and Japan.

Unfortunately a number of events and exchange programs celebrating the anniversary were canceled or postponed due to escalating tensions. Relations between the two countries have deteriorated to a post-World War II low, and economic relations have also chilled.

However, I am not at all pessimistic about the future of Sino-Japanese relations. An old Chinese maxim says, "Drops of water can pierce even a rock."