SINGAPORE -- This week will be crucial for the U.S.-China-Japan relationship as U.S. President George W. Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao begin their summit in Washington on Wednesday, five days ahead of a key general election for Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Bush's closest ally in Asia. While Chinese distrust of Koizumi is at a peak, Bush is banking on Koizumi's success in the snap election so that Washington can continue its strategic partnership with Tokyo in missile defense and the war on terror. Bush also wants Koizumi's economic reforms to succeed so that Japan can better counterbalance China's growing strength.
Growth and stability in the Asia-Pacific will depend on a new entente between Beijing and Washington. The U.S.-Japan alliance, sealed by the Feb. 19 U.S.-Japan Joint Security Agreement, could increase animosity between Japan and China if the trilateral relationship is not properly managed. Southeast Asians are closely observing the development of events.
China and the U.S. have declared that their first-ever strategic dialogue, held in Beijing on Aug. 1, went well. They seem to have reached an understanding on how to jointly manage the Taiwan issue. This week's summit should pave the way for a Bush visit to China by yearend.