Shinzo Abe, the Japanese premier, moved to boost ties with another Asian neighbour at the weekend, visiting Mongolia where he offered increased foreign aid and referred to the countries’ “shared democratic values”.

It was the first visit to Mongolia by a Japanese prime minister in seven years. The trip underscored the two priorities of the foreign policy that Mr Abe and his centre-right government have pursued since winning power in December: gaining access to natural resources and building alliances to counter the rising regional power of China.

Mr Abe drew criticism from some in China in January during his first trip abroad as leader – to Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia – for laying out a vision for a coalition of Asian democracies that would co-operate in what appeared to be unspoken but obvious opposition to China.