Japan and China are utilising parallel strategies to influence each other and the world over the latest fault-line in their contentious relationship.

Okinawa prefecture has the potential to be a new factor affecting Japan-China relations, unless the Japanese government can manage local grievances.

Japan’s proposal to host a NATO liaison office in Tokyo is facing objections from NATO members like France, who view it as a distraction from the alliance’s core task of ensuring security in Europe.

As the situation in Ukraine is constantly evolving, it remains to be seen what role China will play in the resolution of the conflict.