CHINA US Focus - Perspectives shaping the world's most important bilateral relationship

While both China’s Xi Jinping and Japan’s Shinzo Abe hope to forge closer ties with the United States, Sheila Smith notes the two leaders are showing some signs of diplomatic overtures.

Despite Shintaro Ishihara’s clamors for war between Japan and China, Feng Zhaokui writes that the existence of disputes should be the very reason for enhanced people-to-people and even official exchanges to smooth over the Sino-Japanese relationship.

Maritime disputes constitute the single likeliest source of instability and military conflict with China, says Swaine. He explains the primary drivers of tension in the East and South China Seas and identifies steps Washington can take to reduce the risk of hostilities.

Fire-control radar row is Tokyo’s attempt to get more overt outside support and push for constitutional change.

China-watchers look on to see how current territorial disputes in the East China Sea will be addressed as Japanese Prime Minister Abe heads to the United States. Backtracking by the Obama administration may appease Abe in the short term, but will enrage China further complicating Sino-US relations.

Containment is simply not a relevant policy tool for dealing with a rising China. Asia’s internal balance of power should be the key to our strategy.