Analysts: Trump could play "de-escalator" between Beijing and Tokyo
發佈日期: 2025-11-25 20:08
TVB News
Some analysts believe that the US may be pressuring Japan to ease tensions with China, especially after US President Donald Trump spoke separately with President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
They add that Washington is keen to prevent China-Japan frictions from spilling over into Sino-US economic cooperation.
Veteran political commentator Professor Lau Siu-kai, now an advisor to the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, says Washington may not want to be embroiled into the fracas between Beijing and Tokyo -- and could even play a de-escalating role.
Lau says Trump, in a bid to prevent China-Japan frictions from impacting the China-US trade ties, might pressure Japan to "retract erroneous remarks" and steer the relations back on the right track.
Lau notes that many Asia-Pacific countries fear that China-Japan tensions could destabilise the region.
Wang Yiwei, a professor at Renmin University of China and director of its Institute of International Affairs, says the US retains significant clout over Japan.
He says the US can clearly relay China's concerns to Japan and if Washington draws a clear line that Japan must not cross especially regarding the post-war order, Japan's right-wing forces will pull back.
Bao Chengke, a researcher at the Shanghai Institute of East Asian Studies says after he analysed Xinhua's report, he noted the US expressed understanding of the importance of the Taiwan issue to China.
He believes this could help establish a stronger historical basis for future China-US consensus on Taiwan -- which is a positive change.
