Japan, China revive talks with Trump vs Biden, East China Sea on agenda

Amid simmering tensions between Asia’s two largest economies, a diplomatic mission is set to take centre stage. A cross-party delegation of lawmakers, led by the deputy speaker of Japan’s parliament, will soon embark on a high-stakes visit to Beijing. Their agenda? Nothing less than charting a path through the minefield of thorny issues dividing the two rivals.

The smouldering dispute over a group of uninhabited islets in the East China Sea is sure to feature. Known as the Diaoyu Islands to China and the Senkakus to Japan, these remote outcroppings have long been a flashpoint for nationalist sentiments on both sides. As China’s maritime presence in the region continues to grow, Tokyo watches on with deep concern. But with neither side willing to back down, the delegation will face an uphill battle in finding common ground on this territorial stand-off.

“In any case, they have a far more serious thing to be worried about more immediately,” he said, referring to concerns over Taiwan and uncertainties surrounding the outcome of this year’s US election.

Yoichi Shimada, a international-relations professor at Fukui Prefectural University, disagreed. He said the four-day visit from July 22 was the “perfect opportunity for Japan to make its position clear and warn China of what could happen if it continues to press its claims”.