With China-Japan tensions not subsiding after Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae hinted at ‘intervention in a Taiwan contingency,’ Japanese media on the 6th focused on the outcome of the South Korea-China summit held the previous day.

The Mainichi Shimbun noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping, after meeting President Lee Jae Myung on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju last November, hosted him again just two months later by inviting him to China as a state guest, an unusual schedule.

From the Chinese perspective, considering U.S. President Donald Trump’s planned April visit to China and the state of China-Japan tensions together, it appears intended to weaken South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation and to draw South Korea to the Chinese side on the Taiwan issue, the Mainichi analyzed.

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei), citing a Chinese diplomatic source, reported that the decision on the visit to China was made only in late last month, analyzing that it slipped into the schedule for his visit to Japan, which had been being coordinated for mid-January.

The Asahi Shimbun, noting that in the talks Xi told the president, “You must stand on the right side of history,” and said, “Over 80 years ago, China and South Korea fought against Japanese militarism, bearing great national sacrifices, and achieved victory. The two countries must join hands more firmly today, safeguard the fruits of victory in World War II, and protect peace and stability in Northeast Asia,” analyzed that Xi appeared to have Prime Minister Takaichi’s Taiwan-related remarks in mind. The Asahi added that China also “seems intent on provoking friction in South Korea-Japan relations ahead of the president’s visit to Japan.”

The Yomiuri, pointing out that China-Japan tensions have continued since Prime Minister Takaichi suggested ‘intervention in a Taiwan contingency’ in the Diet last November, said, “(Xi) may have used the meeting to restate China’s position on the Taiwan issue and to make sure that (the president) would not show understanding toward the Takaichi administration.”

Nikkei analyzed that the president sought to restore economic cooperation with China through the talks. The Mainichi explained that the South Korean side aimed for a ‘full restoration’ of bilateral relations that have stagnated since the decision to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, as well as an easing of restrictions on Korean cultural content. The Asahi said that South Korea also appears intent on easing frozen inter-Korean relations by improving ties with China, which holds influence over North Korea.

However, the Nikkei reported that public opinion in South Korea is not very positive about improving South Korea-China relations, and that pending issues between the two countries, such as the West Sea structures issue, have not disappeared.