Shinzō Abe on China

Shinzō Abe consistently characterized the People's Republic of China as an increasingly assertive power that challenged the regional status quo, particularly in the East and South China Seas. His foreign and security policy framework, centered on the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) vision, was explicitly designed to counterbalance China's military buildup and influence. This strategy involved institutional changes like creating the National Security Council and bolstering Japan’s defense capabilities, alongside deepening security ties with like-minded democracies such as the United States, Australia, and India through frameworks like the Quad.

While promoting a hard-line security posture to deter China, Abe also maintained attempts to manage the bilateral relationship to prevent the trade and investment relationship from collapsing entirely, which led to periods of cautious engagement. He sought a balance, such as meeting with Chinese leadership to establish communication mechanisms like a maritime hotline, while simultaneously working to solidify a network of democracies to ensure regional stability against what he perceived as China's expansionist tendencies. This dual approach reflects a pragmatic effort to manage an intense, long-term strategic competition.