One challenge often encountered in AH, is IMO that of getting Japan and China to reconcile. I think it's an interesting field and thus here's an idea:
- Have a Japan that successfully supports a revolutionary uprising in Southern China (they tried this in OTL but the UK made them hit 'cancel') which leads to the overthrow of the Qing and beginning of the Warlord era. Simultaneously, have Soviet Russia (or just Russia) gain more influence in the north and complicate China's reunification.
- By 1925 or 1930, China is still split between a powerful Japan-supported party based from the south (similar to the OTL KMT), but there are still many warlords supported by the Russians or otherwise opposed to the Japanese-backed party.
- Intensification of conflicts in China, with the alt-KMT (supprorted by Japan), warlords, Russia and Japan as major players. This happens in the 30s-50s.
- After this period of prolonged and confused fighting, China is finally more or less unified under the alt-KMT, which is in strong alliance with Japan. Conflicts with various Western powers keeps the friendship afloat.
- By the 60s or 70s, an Asian union has been explicitly formed, perhaps with the intent being that it would rally the colonized peoples of SE Asia. In any case, as decolonization occurs, the Asian Union gets more members as they undergo an "oriental mode" of economic and political development. Perhaps it is opposed to western imperialism and/or Communist rhetoric.
There you have it. Not sure if entirely plausible.
- Have a Japan that successfully supports a revolutionary uprising in Southern China (they tried this in OTL but the UK made them hit 'cancel') which leads to the overthrow of the Qing and beginning of the Warlord era. Simultaneously, have Soviet Russia (or just Russia) gain more influence in the north and complicate China's reunification.
- By 1925 or 1930, China is still split between a powerful Japan-supported party based from the south (similar to the OTL KMT), but there are still many warlords supported by the Russians or otherwise opposed to the Japanese-backed party.
- Intensification of conflicts in China, with the alt-KMT (supprorted by Japan), warlords, Russia and Japan as major players. This happens in the 30s-50s.
- After this period of prolonged and confused fighting, China is finally more or less unified under the alt-KMT, which is in strong alliance with Japan. Conflicts with various Western powers keeps the friendship afloat.
- By the 60s or 70s, an Asian union has been explicitly formed, perhaps with the intent being that it would rally the colonized peoples of SE Asia. In any case, as decolonization occurs, the Asian Union gets more members as they undergo an "oriental mode" of economic and political development. Perhaps it is opposed to western imperialism and/or Communist rhetoric.
There you have it. Not sure if entirely plausible.