JAPAN PERSPECTIVE

Tokyo is the only country in the pool to simultaneously cover both prongs of Beijing's diplomatic offensive — the Xi-Cheng Li-wun meeting AND Wang Yi's visit to Pyongyang. Kyodo News publishes two distinct articles: one on the China-North Korea agreement to strengthen ties through Wang Yi and Choe Son Hui, another on the Xi-KMT meeting called 'the first in a decade.' The Japan Times adds a third angle quoting Xi's 'full confidence' in unification. Japan, caught between the North Korean threat (missiles overflying the archipelago) and the Taiwan question (maritime routes vital to its economy), has the most to lose from this dual offensive.