Definitely. You know, she's a little racist not because she's an idiot or anything but because of how she was raised and taught. All her friends and family think that way so it's only natural that she'll take after them. Chinese education teaches almost no critical thinking. Sure, she can get good marks on exams but she can't reason or debate very well despite having a lot of knowledge. She's not stupid, in fact she's very intelligent. But the education system has failed her. Though access to the internet (heavily restricted I guess) is starting to shed some light on a lot of things for her. I haven't gotten her opinion on Mao but if she knows of the famine he cause I can guarantee it wouldn't be a good one.

I agree that she would probably change her mind after meeting someone who's Japanese. She has never really had any contact with them other than what she has heard on the news. There was an incident in Zhejiang province where there was a horrible train accident and the Chinese government didn't take responsibility. She was explaining how all Japanese people were bad because a Japanese news reporter was laughing while reporting it. She's usually very proud of her country and heritage so when her government does something wrong, or when ANY Chinese person shows them in a negative light she will get super embarrassed and ashamed. I guess she thinks too much about "race" and will everyone in a certain group despite a lot (your SO for example) of people not belonging there.

Now, don't get me wrong, it is a fault that I wish she'd change. But she is a sweet, kind and caring girl. It's just the way the education in her country works and the way everyone thinks around her. When you're not taught to think for yourself and instead think as a collective typically you will get someone who thinks something but without any good reason. Sure, the Japanese were absolutely brutal in WWII, but all of the people who made the decisions in that time are either dead or 100 years old. Right now I can't think of a more peaceful country than Japan. Not many countries can say they haven't fired a shot at an enemy in 67 years! China's government, however, has a long way to come. And for the most part my SO knows this.

So yeah, I'd say most Chinese people are naively racist toward Japan and other Asian countries (excluding Korea because of the pop music industry). Westerners are loved there by the newer generation of people because of the entertainment industry and spoken English. Japan is starting to get some love because of the anime industry, but not on a wide scale because of Chinese animation companies being a dominating force there (despite ripping off Japanese anime). I think in 50 years as the older generation of people in China die off the thought process will change. At least on a much larger scale than it is today.

Anyway, I'm sort of rambling here. My SO is 20, and I am 18. We're doing great and I couldn't be happier! I just hope that she meets a Japanese girl like your SO in the future to help change her opinion. For now I won't try to convince her of anything. It is something she will have to figure out herself.