[Beijing = Shohei Mitsuka]China is wary of Liberal Democratic Party President Shigeru Ishiba, calling him “hawkish” in foreign and security policies, and restraining him on the Taiwan issue by calling him “pro-Taiwan.” On the other hand, there is some hope that it will be possible to come to an agreement on issues such as history, and it appears that the two parties are first trying to assess Mr. Ishiba’s stance on China policy.

The Chinese side will pay close attention to the concept of an “Asian version of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)” advocated by Mr. Ishiba. On the 27th, the Chinese Communist Party’s official newspaper, the People’s Daily-affiliated Global Times (electronic edition), reported an expert’s view that “China should remain cautious” regarding the initiative. It appears that the US is concerned that this will lead to the strengthening and expansion of the “encirclement network against China” that the US is pursuing with its allies and others in the Asia-Pacific region.

Furthermore, Mr. Ishiba visited Taiwan in August of this year and met with President Lai Ching-toku, and there is a growing view among the Chinese side that he is a “pro-Taiwanese element.” Observer Network, a news site that includes Chinese policy research institutions, emphasized that the Taiwan issue is a “minefield” that carries the real risk of war, and warned Ishiba not to get involved.

On the other hand, the Global Times said, “Although Mr. Ishiba belongs to the conservative group, his policy statements are relatively moderate and balanced,” and “he hopes to build trust and dispel doubts through defense dialogue and exchanges with the Chinese side.” Another expert’s view was that

There also appears to be a sense of relief on the Chinese side that Sanae Takaichi, Minister of State for Economic and Security Affairs, who was considered “one of Japan’s leading far-right politicians,” lost in the Liberal Democratic Party presidential election.

The Chinese side particularly appreciates Mr. Ishiba’s distance from visiting Yasukuni Shrine, and the Hong Kong media outlet “Hong Kong 01” reports that Mr. Ishiba’s attitude toward historical issues is “compared to China and other related countries. “It is easily accepted,” he said.