China apparently views new Prime Minister Naoto Kan as easier to deal with than his predecessor Yukio Hatoyama, and has already started sending friendly signals to Tokyo in the hopes of promoting closer bilateral relations.
Beijing was caught off guard by the sudden resignation of Hatoyama after just eight months in office. Chinese leaders had expected his regime to last at least two years, or even as long as the four-year term of current Lower House members.
Beijing now appears relieved to learn that Kan, unlike Hatoyama, does not talk of making the Japanese-American relationship "more equitable," or of establishing an "East Asia Economic Community," which can be interpreted as challenging China's strategies.