Battle Lines Drawn in Asia’s Game of Thrones

[Valin]

Via Meadia:

 

5/29/13

 

The battle lines between friends and rivals are coming into sharper focus in Asias Game of Thrones.

 

Chinese Premier Li Kequiang traveled straight to Pakistan following his trip to India. There, Li deftly avoided touching on sensitive subjects; in Pakistan, he praised the military, promised to strengthen the two countries economic links, and gushed that the China-Pakistan friendship has stood the test of hardship and is more precious than gold. Pakistan is Chinas iron brother and an all-weather friend, Chinese state media said after the visit.

 

Officials in Delhi didnt wait long to let Beijing know that they felt scorned. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived this week in Japan, Chinas arch rival, and immediately emphasized how closely India and Japans interests align. The two countries, he said, have: a shared commitment to the ideals of democracy, peace and freedom; shared interests in maritime security; similar challenges to our energy securities; and strong synergies between our economies. Japan is a natural and indispensable partner in [india's] quest for stability and peace in this vast region, Singh also said yesterday. Today he met Shinzo Abe and vowed that the two countries would speed up progress on a partnership on civilian nuclear power. Chinese state media responded by calling Japanese politicians petty burglars and urging Delhi to avoid allowing international provocateurs to sully its relationship with Beijing.

 

(Snip)