Can Xi and Abe work together on the belt and road, to build better Sino-Japanese relations?
Bob Savic says having recently consolidated their power domestically, both leaders should have a freer hand to cooperate and advance common goals, among them a resolution of the North Korea nuclear stand-off
The contentious issues facing China and Japan are widely known, from territorial disputes to ongoing unreconciled grievances associated with Japan’s occupation of China during the second world war. During Xi’s and Abe’s first five years in office, these tensions boiled to the surface and the bilateral relationship was severely strained, sometimes resulting in the suspension of necessary diplomatic exchanges.
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Yet, in spite of these challenges, there is a growing convergence of interests in foreign policy. Both leaders are similarly highlighting the importance of expanding the role of the state in resolving intractable domestic socio-economic issues.