[quote=So Boerd]
Serious though. China and Japan aren't making any sense. You literally JUST fought FFGB three years ago. Why for any reason would you want to hurt their enemies? What dog does Japan have in this fight?
[/quote]

It is a historical fact that the Qing entered into an "informal alliance" of sorts with the British and the French immediately in the aftermath of the Second Opium War in light of the Self-Strengthening movement. Friendly relations was seen as the way to both keep the westerners happy and to begin a proper modernisation of the dynasty. As it was, British and French generals served in the Qing Army during the Taiping Rebellion alongside other tremendous aid given by the westerners, and several governmental occupations were held by British officials. It was in the aftermath of the Second Opium War that Prince Gong alongside a great many other Qing officials popularised having friendly relations with them based on trade and equality, and actively pursued a policy of reconciliation with the western powers. Newspaper reported as early as 1862 that these relations were [i]'established based on foundations of friendship’[/i] and the Imperial Court both displayed a friendly relations with the British and French, as well as consulting with them over difficult matters.

On the other hand, the signing away of Outer Manchuria to the Russians was an act undertaken under Russian coercion during the Second Opium War, and was considered by the Xianfeng Emperor to merely be time-saving measure before dealing with the Russians more firmly when the appropriate time came. Sadly for the Chinese, that opportunity never arrived - but in a reality where Russia had declared a sphere of influence over the Qing's gigantic ego, and are now a tad busy elsewhere (much like when they grabbed Outer Manchuria from China), the opportunity to begin the reclamation of land lost merely five years ago [i]and[/i] prove that they are not merely a Russian subject is ripe. I do not believe irredentism over the homeland of the Qing nor anger at perceived insults are invalid casus belli as of the late 19th century.

As for Japan; it is no secret that Japan is also wary of Russian expansionism in Asia ever since the latter half of the 19th century. An unequal treaty was forced upon Japan by the Russians, and the Russians had been involved in several territorial disputes with Japan ranging from Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands, to an attempt to establish a naval port in the Japanese island of Tsushima in March 1861. Despite the presence of British warships alongside the Japanese, the Russians began to clash and were finally evicted by September. My knowledge on Japan is not as extensive as that of China, but it would seem to me that the Russians have not proven themselves to be the best of friends as compared to the British.

A Sino-Japanese alliance between these two culturally similar nations - who only fought a war once - in the light of recent Russian expansionism is probably just as odd as the British and French coming to some kind of alliance after 22+ wars, or the Germans and French coming together to lead Europe in some bizarre kind of friendly union. ;)