In an article published by the Global Times on May 30, 2017,  Li Chen, a PhD candidate of the Department of History at Fudan University,  said that Japan had sent its delegation to attend the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and expressed its willingness to become a member of the China-initiated Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) earlier in May, not to mend diplomatic ties with China but in an attempt to influence the program from within. He added that "Therefore, under the guise of Japan developing good neighborliness with China, improvement in the Sino-Japanese relationship is not likely to occur". Asserting that "Sino-Japanese territorial issues and Japan and Taiwan's relationship also merit close attention", Li Chen said "The territorial disputes between Beijing and Tokyo are centered on the sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands. The islands have been part of China's territory since ancient times and China's claim of sovereignty has been legitimated by international law. However, the Japanese authority is adept at fabricating news to ignite hostility in the civil communities of both countries. Meanwhile, it often makes a big fuss about the Diaoyu Islands dispute in the global arena and ramps up efforts to spread the "China threat" theory". Saying that Taiwan figures in Sino-Japanese relations the article said "A growing rapport between Japan and Taiwan has been witnessed since Tsai Ing-wen took office. Abe's administration is also attempting to use the Taiwan issue as a bargaining chip in negotiations with Beijing. Abe alleged that Taiwan is an important partner that shares Japan's values and interests. This is undoubtedly challenging the bottom line of the Chinese people". Specifically it pointed to the attendance on March 25, by Jiro Akama, Japanese Vice Minister for Internal Affairs of a Japanese culture promotion event in Taiwan describing it as going "against the principles of the four political documents reached between China and Japan". It noted that the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs protested Akama's trip to Taiwan. Mentioning the US-Japan alliance, it observed that "Trump himself declared clearly that the US is committed to the security of Japan". The article noted, in conclusion, that "there is currently little opportunity to alleviate tensions in Sino-Japanese relations."