FOCUS: Sino-U.S. strains over Hong Kong may ignite tensions in East Asia

Tensions in East Asia are certain to escalate later this year, with China's move to crack down on what it views as subversive activity in Hong Kong exacerbating already strained relations with the United States that supports the territory's independence.Should China take a harsher line against Hong Kong, self-governing Taiwan, which the mainland regards as a renegade province, would be more confrontational with Beijing and get closer to Washington, leading to a further deterioration of their ties.Over the Hong Kong issue, Japan, one of the closest U.S. allies, may be forced to consider how …READ FULL ARTICLE