Abe's idea of an alliance of democracies between Japan, India, the US and Australia is not conducive to peace and stability in the region as it could divide Asia by ideology, Chinese analysts warned yesterday.

 

To preach of a quadripartite alliance resurrects a Cold-War mentality and is designed to deliberately divide Asia, said Hu Shisheng, an expert in South Asia studies at the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations.

 

"Japan's intention is obvious. It aims to counterbalance the rising influence of China in the region," Hu said.

 

Echoing Hu, Sun Shihai, a researcher of South Asian affairs at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the so-called democratic alliance is not good for Asia.

 

"Any attempts to make China a rival or contain China will not work," Sun said.

 

According to Hu, Abe's Indian trip is not just about politics as he is accompanied by a large business delegation, eying India's growing market and cheap labor resources."

 

In response to a question about Abe's Indian visit, the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman's Office said yesterday: "We are willing to see Japan develop friendly ties of cooperation with all countries in the region and play a positive role in safeguarding regional peace, stability and development."

 

(China Daily August 23, 2007)