Chinese observers note that India is a main target of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s wider outreach efforts. Chinese analysts do not welcome this development, and have long complained about Japan’s support for India’s position on the border dispute. Lou Chunhao 楼春豪 of CICIR argues that their maritime cooperation, including Japan’s permanent inclusion in the US–India Malabar naval exercises, is clearly ‘aimed at China’ (Xiandai Guoji Guanxi). Their joint development of the Chabahar port and the ‘Asia–Africa Growth Corridor’ is clearly intended to compete with Belt and Road, asserts Zhao Minghao 赵明昊, a researcher in the CCP International Liaison Department. Lu Zhongwei 陆忠伟 former president of CICIR argues their cooperation could drive a wedge into Sino–Japanese relations, and implies Abe is trying to undermine Sino–US relations. Lin Minwang 林民旺 Fudan University, however, says neither would pursue a hostile policy against China unless the US alters its policy. Many analysts display a sense of self-confidence, arguing that East Asia’s power structure has developed so favourably for China that Abe’s attempts will not have too much impact.

(Comment: Lu Zhongwei (陆忠伟 ) former President of the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR) and a Vice Minister in Ministry of State Security (MSS), retired in 2012 when a close personal aide was arrested for spying for Washington. Hu Jintao 胡锦涛 personally intervened in the high-profile scandal. A fluent Japanese speaker, he has also served as board member of the China–Japan Friendship Association. Abe’s relentless efforts to promote closer ties with India are, he contends, preparation for shifts in US policy; US–Japan ties might become unstable.)