Abstract: The exchange between Tianjin and Japan from 1949 to 1978 was an important component of Sino-Japanese relations and a typical manifestation of local foreign affairs serving national diplomatic work. The 30year exchanges between Tianjin and Japan are in line with the overall context and phased characteristics of the development of SinoJapanese relations. It has also gone through four stages of development: “initial exchanges”, “civilian exchanges”, “semiofficial and semicivilian”, and “normal exchanges”, reflecting the theme of peaceful and friendly exchanges and the principle of mutual benefit. It has made contributions to the establishment of initial contacts between China and Japan after the founding of the People‘s Republic of China, promoting civil exchanges between China and Japan, and promoting the normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations. It has also provided practical experience for Tianjin’s exchanges with Japan after the reform and opening up. From 1949 to 1978, local exchanges with Japan, represented by Tianjin, laid the foundation for civil exchanges between China and Japan, and made historical contributions to promoting friendship between China and Japan, consolidating and developing Sino-Japanese relations.

Key words: Tianjin, Japan, Sino-Japanese relations, normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, Treaty of Peace and Friendship between China and Japan