Japanese Media: Sino-U.S. Relations Improve, but Sino-Japanese Tensions Deepen
On May 31, Japanese media outlet Fuji Television reported that the Asia Security Conference, hosted by Singapore and attended by defense leaders from the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, has concluded successfully.
This conference highlighted the growing rift between China and Japan, while the United States deliberately downplayed criticism of China.
The Asia Security Conference began on the 29th and lasted for three days, with defense ministers and senior officers from over 40 countries in attendance.
U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth invoked the "China threat" to forcefully pressure allies into increasing defense spending and military buildup.
In a speech in 2025, Hegseth explicitly stated that a military attack on Taiwan would lead to "catastrophic consequences," aiming to deter China. However, his tone this time was markedly different—mentioning Taiwan was notably absent.
After the recent U.S.-China summit in May, Hegseth deliberately avoided addressing the issue.
Meanwhile, the Chinese delegation harshly criticized Japan for having "an attempt to overturn its history of aggression and pursuing a new path of militarism."
In response, Japan's Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba rebutted the claim in his speech, calling China's assertions "untrue," yet also expressed a desire "to strengthen bilateral communication and dialogue."
It is evident from this conference that the rift between China and Japan continues to widen, with no signs of improvement in their relations.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1866712825522187/
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