710 { China’s Quest
not merit Chinese gratitude. Unstated but clearly present was the idea that
Japan’s ODA was a form of reparations, owed morally if not legally to China.
The Chinese media began to polemicize against Japanese expression of con-
cern about China’s rapidly growing military strength. The Chinese media
transformed expressions of Japanese concern about China’s actions into evi-
dence of nefarious Japanese intentions: Japan wanted to keep China weak
and vulnerable while Japan itself plotted to restore militarism. Thus began a
vicious cycle: Japanese expressions of concern would lead to Chinese charges
of Japanese malevolent intentions, which would further increase Japanese
apprehensions, leading to further accusations by the Chinese media.^8
China’s very active nuclear testing program, illustrated by Figure 26-2,
became a focus of Japanese concern. Between May 1990 and July 1996, when it
finally stopped nuclear tests, China exploded eleven nuclear warheads. Japan
had developed a very strong aversion to nuclear weapons as a result of its suf-
fering two atomic bombings in 1945. Many Japanese believed that as a result of
their uniquely horrendous experience of having suffered atomic attack, Japan
had a special mission in the world to anathematize all aspects of nuclear
weapons, especially by countries next door to it. Japanese opinion was dis-
mayed by China’s nuclear tests for idealistic reasons as well as self-interest.
Thus, following China’s May 1995 test of a 95-kiloton bomb, Japan suspended
the grant portion of ODA to China. Following another 60–80-kiloton test
in August, Japan froze government grants for the remainder of 1995. The
Japanese Diet also passed a resolution protesting China’s continued testing.Date Test # Yield Comments
29 Jul. 1996 45 1–5 K T
8 Jun. 1996 44 20–80 KT detonation of two warheads
17 Aug. 1995 43 60–80 KT Japan Diet passes resolution
protesting China testing
& freezes grant air for 1 month
15 May. 1995 42 95 KT Japan suspends grant portion
ODA to China
7 Oct. 1994 41 40–50 KT
10 Jun. 1994 40 40–50 KT
5 Oct. 1993 39 40–80 KT
25 Sep. 1992 38 8 KT
21 May 1992 37 650 KT China’s largest underground test
(Hiroshima bomb = 13–18 KT)
16 Aug. 1990 36 189 KT
26 May 1990 35 11.5 KT
FIGU R E 26-2 China’s Nuclear Tests Since 1990(^1) Monterey Institute of International Studies database. http;//www.cns.miis.edu/
archives/country _China/coxrep/testlist.htm.