Abe fails to bridge U.S.-China divide at APEC summit

Shinzo’s shadow puppet cobra is quite impressive.

Where are the people who are always praising Abe for his "summit" abilities?

This is more like him!

PM Abe tried his best to mediate between U.S. and China. The differences are too wide. No-one can blame him for this disappointing Summit. Big G20 Summit in 10 days is another chance. Do your best, PM Abe.

Why the need to always wear some garish "traditional" shirt or outfit when these things are held in Asian countries.  They don't wear lederhosen when held in Germany.  Or mu mu when in west African countries......

Why the need to always wear some garish "traditional" shirt or outfit when these things are held in Asian countries. 

What's the problem?

What's the problem?

I agree with Strangerland. The outfits look gorgeous and they suit the leaders well.

I agree with Strangerland.

How? I didn't make any statements with which to agree.

PM Abe tried his best to mediate between U.S. and China. 

I highly doubt that, as this article is just a propaganda ploy for the local market. Trying to keep Abe's appearances up, when reality is different!

Why the need to always wear some garish "traditional" shirt or outfit when these things are held in Asian countries. They don't wear lederhosen when held in Germany. Or mu mu when in west African countries......

Yeah but they wear cowboy hats and boots in the US. What difference does it make anyway? It's traditional there so....no one says you gotta wear it right?!?!

the Shirts look cool

ok?

Why would anybody assume that Abe or any other Japanese politician could bridge a U.S.-China divide? Japan's leaders have made it abundantly clear that, even with Donald Trump as U.S. president, Japan will always choose subordination to the U.S. over any kind of status as junior partner to China. It's not like Japan is neutral in U.S.-China disputes.

Not your job Abe!

Not Abe's job to bring the two together. Its his job to get the best out of both countries for Japan.

gogogo:

Not your job Abe!

It's his job to use the occasion for his country. In the US-China dispute, China has been warming up to Japan, deescalating the relationship between the two countries. That he tried is a message to China so as to keep the tension between the countries low. It is also a message that if US pushes Japan too hard, Japan has no option but to make a deal with China. But the fact that he did not try too hard to bridge the US and China tells us that Abe likes what he is seeing - the dispute between them.

It's his job to use the occasion for his country. In the US-China dispute, China has been warming up to Japan, deescalating the relationship between the two countries. That he tried is a message to China so as to keep the tension between the countries low. It is also a message that if US pushes Japan too hard, Japan has no option but to make a deal with China. But the fact that he did not try too hard to bridge the US and China tells us that Abe likes what he is seeing - the dispute between them.

Or maybe he just realized that the dispute seems irreconcilable right now and decided not to spend political capital on a lost cause and then be berated by the Japanese media when it fails?

Wise decision.

And once again...its not his job.

Why would anybody assume that Abe or any other Japanese politician could bridge a U.S.-China divide?

Why can't Japanese or any other politician try to save the meeting?

Why can't Japanese or any other politician try to save the meeting?

Cause it can't be saved? When you have two sides with deeply opposing views and a limited time frame, sometimes its best to just move on and not cause too much of a fuss until an opportunity to bridge the gap presents itself.

A ten to one numerical superiority does not necessarily translate into an overwhelming war fighting potential and can easily be a huge negative. As for “superior army”, the IJA believed themselves to be that and that the Bushido fighting spirit would be enough to prevail over the qualitative superiority its enemies could be expected to harness. Five million Japanese paid the ultimate price for their leaders’ hubris.

Was he even supposed to? I mean, what can he do anyways?

Each are highly focused on their own needs -ie. economically and politically. That’s how these foreign trade representatives work. Sadly, they are not interested whatsoever in such matters that deal with cultural understanding.

Mr Abe is a very good friend to Chinese, we appreciate every efforts he has done!

With two titans at the summit each with opposing views, it is impossible for anyone to bridge the divide.