From Reuters:
China avoided commenting directly on the election of hawkish Taro Aso as Japan’s new leader, with a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman saying on Tuesday only that good ties were in the interests of both countries.
An outspoken nationalist, Aso won the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership vote on Monday, succeeding Yasuo Fukuda, who had focused on improving long-strained ties with Beijing.
Aso, a former foreign minister, has been wary of China and wants Japan to wield more regional clout.
