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US seeks balance between Japan alliance and China cooperation amid rising tensions
Washington reaffirmed its ability to uphold its strategic alliance with Japan while pursuing constructive engagement with China, even as military tensions between Tokyo and Beijing intensify over Taiwan. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized Friday that the United States can simultaneously support Japan’s security and maintain diplomatic and economic channels with China without compromising its commitments in the Indo-Pacific.
Rising tensions over Taiwan
The friction between China and Japan renewed in early November after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told parliament that a potential Chinese military operation against Taiwan could represent a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan, potentially justifying defensive action under the country’s collective self-defense clause. The statement prompted Beijing to issue sharp diplomatic protests and to impose several economic countermeasures, including restrictions on Japanese seafood imports and a travel advisory for Chinese citizens.
Escalating military incidents
Regional anxiety deepened after a December 6 encounter over the East China Sea, when Chinese J-15 fighter jets from the aircraft carrier Liaoning reportedly targeted Japanese F-15s with fire-control radar near Okinawa a move Tokyo condemned as “dangerous and extremely regrettable.” China dismissed the accusations, claiming its aircraft were provoked by Japanese surveillance activity. Defense analysts warn that such confrontations are becoming increasingly frequent and risk accidental escalation.
Balancing regional dynamics
Rubio stated that maintaining equilibrium between the two Asian powers remains a delicate yet essential task for Washington. “These tensions are preexisting, and we recognize the importance of managing them responsibly,” he said. While reaffirming Japan as “a very close ally,” Rubio underlined that China remains “a global power we must engage with.” He also pointed to ongoing cooperation in global trade, climate initiatives, and health security, areas where the two nations’ interests still intersect.
Taiwan’s foreign minister, Lin Chia-lung, forecasted that Japan-China tensions could persist into 2026. President Donald Trump, scheduled to visit China in April, has yet to comment publicly on the recent incidents. Observers believe his upcoming visit will test Washington’s ability to balance its dual role as both ally and interlocutor in the Pacific.
