In the United States, there is much talk about how the collapse in Japan-ROK relations since July 2019 poses challenges for the US-Japan-ROK trilateral relationship led by Washington and supports Beijing in driving a wedge into US alliances. What are the Chinese authors saying? If they see an opportunity, what is it, and how do they envision their country taking advantage of it? Is the right response to improve economic and security relations with both parties? To entice the weakest link in the US-led triangle, South Korea, or to pressure it? And what are the challenges? This article distinguishes three groups of Chinese writers that address Japan-ROK relations, putting their arguments in the context of the trilateral alliance system.

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