Abe returns happy from Beijing.

Byline: Dr. Imran Khalid

Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe's just concluded three-day visit to China has dramatically changed the whole texture of China-Japan relations that have been seriously strained for quite some years. 'Good vibes', 'positive gestures', 'red carpet receptions', 'grand state banquet' and 'new start', are some of the terminologies that international media used while covering this much-touted Beijing-yatra of Abe. Ties between Beijing and Tokyo were seriously soured in 2012 when Tokyo 'nationalised' the Senkaku-Diaoyus, but now it seems that relations between the two countries are practically 'back on track'. Abe, who was until recently being perceived as hawkish by the most of the decision makers in Beijing, did his best to appear as much 'positive' as possible throughout his visit. 'From competition to co-existence, Japan and China bilateral relations have entered a new phase. With President Xi Jinping, I would like to carve out a new era for China and Japan,' said a visibly buoyed Abe while addressing the media at the end of tour. This new mantra: from competition to co-existence- is very catchy and Abe is quite serious in adhering to it in the coming days. The trans-Pacific politics is in a transition phase where old rivalries are being replaced with new bondages and alliances.

A kind of pragmatism is quite visible in Tokyo and Beijing and this pragmatism is what is actually coercing the two sides to mend fences at this juncture. Shinzo Abe, for the last few years, he has been trying hard to crave a prominent role on the global arena. Abe has been able to make Japan a leader of global free trade a surprise move from the prime minister of a country that has always been notorious for its barriers to imports. Apart from assuming the leadership of the Asian Trans-Pacific Partnership, Abe has also spearheaded the free trade agreement with the European Union, perhaps the largest such bilateral trade agreement in history that amounts to almost 30 percent of global GDP The string of successes in domestic and international affairs has heartened Abe to ignore the mounting pressure of the simmering domestic scandals. He has been successful enough to not only control the power brokers within his fractionated LDP but also influence the public opinion.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had planned to visit Europe and the Middle East in last July that would include a signing ceremony for a free trade deal between Japan and the European Union...