China initiated a new round of diplomatic contacts with Japan and the European Union this week, as Washington prepares for the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.
A delegation of Japanese lawmakers traveled to Beijing, and a Chinese military delegation visited Japan for the first time in five years.
The new President of the European Council held his first phone call with China’s leader, Xi Jinping.
Analysts say China is trying to test the alliance between Washington and its allies with diplomatic efforts.
“Chinese senior officials believe that the upcoming Trump administration will be tougher on China, so Beijing is attempting to pull America’s allies out of Washington’s orbit,” said Chen Yuhua, a professor of China studies at Akita International University, in an interview with Voice of America.
However, other experts say the effectiveness of Beijing’s strategy remains unclear.
