Alliance (alliances and partnership) is the key to diplomacy. China has adopted a proactive stance in developing alliances, including the establishment of the AIIB and the implementation of the sea and land Silk Road initiatives, as well as through the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, BRICs, China-ASEAN Summit Meetings, the China-Africa Forum, and economic and military aid to Pakistan and Myanmar. Japan needs to make more strategic use of its alliances, primarily with its ally the United States, as well as bilateral partnership ties with friendly countries and multilateral frameworks.