Publication

This paper argues that Japan's relationship with China is a key element in the evolving East Asian security structure. The author details how from Beijing's perspective, China's Japan policy rivals its relationship with the United States in relative strategic importance. The paper points out that Japan's economic strength and its potential military power make it a major factor in Chinese security calculations. The author concludes that Japanese and Chinese interests compete in many areas, requiring tolerance, patience and diplomatic sophistication to keep competition from evolving into conflict.