Then, between 1933 and 1935, it had seemed possible that Japan would be content with its gains so far, and that Nationalist China could live, at least for a while, with Manchukuo on its borders. But from 1935 Japanese influence in north China had grown, and it had become clear that they regarded the entire region as their own territory. Chiang was increasingly convinced that Japan would not rest until all China was a client state. If he did not confront them now, then the moment would surely have to come soon.
