Abe's idea of an alliance of democracies between Japan, India,
the US and Australia is not conducive to peace and stability in the
region as it could divide Asia by ideology, Chinese analysts warned
yesterday.
To preach of a quadripartite alliance resurrects a Cold-War
mentality and is designed to deliberately divide Asia, said Hu
Shisheng, an expert in South Asia studies at the China Institute of
Contemporary International Relations.
"Japan's intention is obvious. It aims to counterbalance the
rising influence of China in the region," Hu said.
Echoing Hu, Sun Shihai, a researcher of South Asian affairs at
the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the so-called
democratic alliance is not good for Asia.
"Any attempts to make China a rival or contain China will not
work," Sun said.
According to Hu, Abe's Indian trip is not just about politics as
he is accompanied by a large business delegation, eying India's
growing market and cheap labor resources."
In response to a question about Abe's Indian visit, the Chinese
Foreign Ministry Spokesman's Office said yesterday: "We are willing
to see Japan develop friendly ties of cooperation with all
countries in the region and play a positive role in safeguarding
regional peace, stability and development."
(China Daily August 23, 2007)
