BEIJING/HONG KONG — A major regional security conference is shaping up as a face-off between Asia’s two biggest powers, with Japan sending its hawkish Prime Minister and China expected to despatch a feisty diplomat instead of the usual brass to counter Tokyo’s more assertive message.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who took office in 2012 promising to bolster the role of the nation’s military, will deliver the keynote address at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore at the end of this month.

Beijing is understood to be sending Ms Fu Ying, a tough and articulate former Deputy Foreign Minister now serving as chairperson of the Chinese Parliament’s foreign affairs committee, who is expected to make the case that it is Japan, not an increasingly powerful China, that threatens regional security.

Sino-Japanese tensions over a string of islands controlled by Tokyo in the East China Sea that are also claimed by Beijing spiked two years ago, shortly before Mr Abe took office.

Relations have also long been soured by Chinese resentment of Japan’s wartime occupation of large parts of China and the belief that Tokyo has never properly atoned for its actions.

Ties were further strained when Mr Abe last December visited Tokyo’s controversial Yasukuni shrine, where Japanese World War II leaders convicted by an Allied tribunal as war criminals are honoured along with millions of the war dead.

“We understand that the Chinese are keen to continue participating and will be sending a strong delegation, and Fu Ying’s appearance reflects that,” said Dr Tim Huxley, the Singapore-based executive director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (Asia), which organises the event.

“Our impression is that Prime Minister Abe’s speech will stimulate a lot of interest — not least in China — and understandably, they want to be in a position to respond swiftly and appropriately,” Dr Huxley said.

China’s Foreign Ministry said it was unable to confirm Ms Fu’s attendance.

Beijing has also yet to confirm who will head the delegation from the People’s Liberation Army, Dr Huxley said. China’s Defence Ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

A source familiar with China’s foreign policy said Ms Fu was a good choice to go and spar with Mr Abe. “She is well-versed in putting across China’s position to an international audience,” said the source.

A polished English speaker — still a rarity among senior Chinese officials — Ms Fu is no stranger to taking on Japan. She attended the Munich Security Conference earlier this year, where she criticised Japan for what she said was its denial of its crimes during World War II.

Organisers of the Shangri-La Dialogue usually invite a regional Prime Minister or President to give the keynote address.

Mr Abe, who will be accompanied by his Defence Minister and National Security Adviser, will possibly be carrying what has become a consistent message from the Japanese leader on the world stage since he took office: That Japan will stick to a peaceful path; that the country wants to play a bigger role on the global security stage; and that all nations should follow the rule of law.

Unlike most other countries, China does not usually send a top-ranked official to the Shangri-La Dialogue. It has sent its Defence Minister only once — in 2011.

Last year, China’s most senior official at the forum was Lieutenant-General Qi Jianguo, the People’s Liberation Army’s deputy chief of general staff, who used the opportunity to ease concerns about Beijing’s military intentions. China is also embroiled in several territorial disputes with South-east Asian nations. REUTERS