Speculation is rife that China may begin to take a softer approach to other nations including Japan in the wake of President Xi Jinping's pledge to "strive to shape a reliable, admirable and respectable image" of the country.In recent years, the Communist-led government has adopted a hard-line attitude toward some democratic nations over its alleged human rights abuses against the Muslim Uyghur minority in Xinjiang and security challenges posed to Taiwan and its vicinity.But Xi said at a ruling party meeting that China should "enlarge the circle of friends who understand" it, the official X…READ FULL ARTICLE
