When China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, met with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts in Tokyo last weekend, he emphasized the potential for trade and stability if the three neighbors collaborated. He quoted a proverb, suggesting that close neighbors are better than distant relatives, seemingly referring to the US as an unreliable ally. However, even as the officials discussed friendship, two Chinese Coast Guard ships began an incursion into disputed waters in the East China Sea, pursuing a small Japanese fishing boat.
Japan’s coast guard intercepted them, stating that the ships were armed. Japan referred to this as the longest incursion yet into the disputed islands’ waters, which both countries claim. Japan’s foreign minister protested the increasing activity around these uninhabited islands to Mr. Wang. China’s strategy involves both pledging friendship and deploying armed ships, reflecting Beijing’s approach to dealing with a recalibrating US under President Trump’s administration.
China is using a “carrots and sticks” approach with its neighbors, rewarding policies that benefit Chinese interests and warning against harmful ones. This dual strategy is based on the belief that Trump’s abrasive foreign policy provides leverage for China to advance its interests while US allies feel vulnerable.
China has taken a similar approach with Australia, South Korea, and Vietnam. While trade relations have improved and restrictions on certain exports have been lifted, China has also conducted assertive military actions, such as live-fire drills and coast guard deployments. Despite these tensions, China remains committed to its goal of becoming the dominant power in the Asia-Pacific region.
Japan’s relationship with China is complex, with tensions persisting despite recent improvements. Japan is considering deploying missiles to target China in case of a threat, and there have been numerous incidents involving Chinese ships near disputed islands. Japan’s coast guard said China’s latest incursion lasted 92 hours, with Chinese ships pursuing a Japanese fishing boat. A former Japanese Coast Guard commander stated that this was part of a strategy of attrition that began in 2010.
Overall, China’s approach towards its neighbors involves a mix of diplomacy, trade, and military assertiveness, as it works to strengthen its influence in the region.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/27/world/asia/trump-china-japan-korea.html
