[SECRET] [DIPLOMACY] Keishirō to China

"Japan risks being surrounded by all sides, and China is the breathing space we need. Yet at the same time, we recognize the fact that if we ever think about violating Chinese sovereignty, she will certainly be pushed into the camp of either Russia or America. We hold minimal holdings in mainland China. We have little hope of expanding Japanese territory. We struggle to maintain our empire.

But do we *have* to be hostile to China? In a world where Europeans dominate politically and militarily, in a world where the Asian people are oppressed with seemingly no hope for freedom, and in a world in which two super-powers struggle for influence - none of them Asian - would it be wise to yet seek aggressiveness between the only two remaining respectable Asian powers left?

The answer is simple."

- Matsui Keishirō, Minister for Foreign Affairs

Recognizing the fact that seeking further territorial ambition is pointless, realizing that hostility between Japan and China serves no good to either party, and reaffirming the fact that Japan is and has always been seeking only the independence of Japan and the Asian people, we offer a deal of good will between the Empire of Japan and the Republic of China.

Economically, for the mutual benefit of both parties, Japan proposes the following:

* China will allow Japanese textiles, bicycles and automobiles to import into China at a reduced tariff;
* China will allow Japanese firms to establish heavy industrial plants in Manchuria

in turn, Japan will:

* Fund industrialization efforts in coastal and inner Chinese cities of China's choosing, for a small and reasonable share of profits, and
* Provide funding and assistance to any and all infrastructure projects including but not limited to roads, railways and electricity.

The economical part of this proposal is based on a fair and mutually beneficial consideration. China would open unexploited markets for Japan, as one of the few choices of trade Japan has, and Japan would provide assistance to Chinese industrialization efforts. Win-win.

However, the truly significant part of this proposal would be diplomatic:

Japan will:

* Return any and all remaining Japanese concessions in China (if any)
* Promise to maintain the *status quo* of increased autonomy in Korea
* Promise to respect the rights and culture of the ethnic Chinese in Formosa
* Promise to never station more troops than necessary for defense in Korea if it is ever re-militarized
* Promise not to obstruct any and all Chinese attempts to regain Qing territories on the Asian mainland
* Promise to give up any and all territorial ambitions in China

And for all these, both China and Japan will:

* Promise not to align with Russia or the United States unless provoked
* Promise to respect to territorial integrity and sovereignty of each other
* Promise to notify each other of any plans for armament buildup
* Promise to shift military focus away from offensive preparations against each other
* Promise to maintain a friendly relation while the treaty lasts.
* The treaty will last 10 years with option for renewal.

Japan did wage war against China. Japan did take territories of China. Japan does hold former territories of China. However, what truly matters to China, and us, right now, we believe, is independence. Territorial independence and of course independence from the two super-powers of Russia and America.