ABSTRACT
The brief summary of the main policy initiatives of the nations of the Pacific quadrille to the end of 1986 therefore stresses the rapidly expanding and changing roles of China and Japan within the East Asian system. The Chinese have made a fundamental shift of diplomatic posture, from a bitter adversary of the Soviets to a more balanced position between the Soviets and the Japanese-American alliance—a position allowing expanding and friendly relations with both and giving China a pivotal diplomatic role. In addition to formal agreements at the central government level, economic relations between China and the Soviet Union developed through direct border trade. Changes in Sino-Soviet relations raise very important questions about the future of the four-power relationship in East Asia. The first concerns the future direction and limits of change in the Sino-Soviet relationship, and the second concerns the likely impact of that change on the relationships of the major powers.
