CHINA showed in its Sept 3 military parade in Beijing that it wants to be viewed not just as an economic power but as a major military and diplomatic player as well. And, while it trumpeted its desire for peace, the display of its military prowess is bound to spur concern in other capitals.

China has sought to seize the moral high ground on issues such as the refugee crisis in Europe, castigating Washington for triggering instability and civil wars through its policy of regime change in the Middle East. In Asia, which China sees as its own backyard, it has fanned the flames of animosity towards Japan, emphasising atrocities committed in the 1930s and 1940s. This message came loud and clear from the military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.

And yet, aside from South Korea whose president Park Geun-hye attended the parade, China has little to show for its efforts. In fact, the latest Pew Research Center survey of 15,313 people in 10 Asia-Pacific nations and the United States conducted from April 6 to May 27, 2015, show that "despite historical and territorial frictions, people in Asia-Pacific tend to view their regional neighbours in a positive light, with Japan judged most favourably", in the words of Bruce Stokes, the centre's director. "Japan enjoys a relatively positive image, except in China and South Korea," Mr Stokes wrote.