Amid China-Japan Spat, Both Countries Court South Korea

South Korea has become a new focal point amid an escalating feud between China and Japan over comments by Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi on Taiwan. Beijing has drawn closer to Seoul, in what experts suggest is part of an effort to not just cut Tokyo off from Chinese trade, but also to isolate it diplomatically. “If successful, China could shape a narrative portraying Japan as interfering in China’s domestic affairs,” says Kei Koga, an associate professor at Singapore-based NTU’s Public Policy and Global Affairs Program. As for Japan, if it can prevent South Korea from aligning with China, then “maintaining the status quo would help prevent such narratives from gaining traction.”

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