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China-Japan-Koreas
China defence chief visits Japan
2007-08-30
Chinese Defence Minister Cao Gangchuan is to begin a five-day visit to Japan for talks with top military leaders. Mr Cao is expected to meet his newly-installed counterpart, Masahiko Komura, and inspect Japanese Self-Defence Force troops.

His visit is the first by a Chinese defence minister in over nine years. It is being seen as a sign of improving Sino-Japanese ties, which were strained under Japan's former Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi. China had objected to Mr Koizumi's repeated visits to a controversial war-linked shrine, and high-levels summits were suspended over the issue.

But since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took office in September 2006, ties have warmed and Mr Cao's visit is being seen as a chance for further thawing.
Too bad Mr. Abe can't find a suitable stick to poke them with.
The talks between the two defence ministers are likely to focus on confidence-building measures such as naval exchanges and the setting up of a military-to-military hotline.

But as ever, says the BBC's Rob Watson, the symbolism is as important as the substance, with both Tokyo and Beijing seemingly intent on better relations.
No kidding, Rob?
Analysts say the change in mood reflects a growing feeling among senior Japanese officials both inside and outside the military that China is too big and too important to ignore. To some extent Japan is following the lead of the US, which has clearly softened its line towards China under Defence Secretary Robert Gates, our correspondent adds.

But Tokyo and Beijing are hedging their bets, with both simultaneously pursuing military modernisation programmes just in case.
Posted by:lotp

#1  FREEREPUBLIC > JAPAN TODAY > Various CHIN PLAN fleet units steamed thru both Japanese and Taiwanese waters. PLAN intentionally provoking Taiwan???
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2007-08-30 03:46  

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