Division Proliferation
US, Japan, South Korea military security ties for so-called military deterrence exacerbates trend of regional bloc confrontation and create a new cold war atmosphere in the region
USA, ROK, JP speed nuclear proliferation
By Xu Yelu
Experts warned on Sunday that the so-called security cooperation among the US, Japan, and South Korea, especially the strengthening of military security ties and the enhancement of so-called military deterrence, will exacerbate the trend of regional bloc confrontation and create a new cold war atmosphere in the region as top diplomats from Japan, the US and South Korea held on Thursday a trilateral meeting which aimed to pursue closer cooperation in addressing North Korea's missile capabilities and Taiwan-related questions.
Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul exchanged opinions over China-related issues. During the meeting, which lasted about an hour, the trio had a "frank exchange of views" on China, a Japanese Foreign Ministry official said.
The three-way talks, Cho's first since assuming his post in January, took place on the sidelines of a foreign ministerial meeting of the Group of 20 major economies.
During the G20 meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu met with Cho. The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the two exchanged views on topics of mutual concern, such as the relationship between South Korea and China. Both sides agreed that the development of the South Korea-China relationship is very important, and that regardless of any issues that may arise between the two countries, close communication should be maintained, according to the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"Cooperation and coordination with our closest allies is more important than ever," Blinken said as he met with the other two foreign ministers.
"Looking at the global landscape, the free and open international order, based on the rule of law, is now being challenged," the US Department of State quoted Kamikawa as saying. "Our strategic coordination is more important than ever, and I am eager to work even more closely with both of you in dealing with North Korea and beyond."
Analysts said on Sunday that Japan's "Indo-Pacific strategy" focuses on "a free and open Indo-Pacific," which is also the current main diplomatic direction of the Kishida administration. South Korea also introduced its own version of the so-called Indo-Pacific strategy in 2023, which is in line with South Korea's aspirations as a major power. Overall, the expansion of the US-Japan-South Korea security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific direction mainly focuses on two areas, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.
To some extent, they also want to compete with China for influence and to maintain the US' dominant position in the region. Japan and South Korea also want to ride on the coattails of the US to achieve their aspirations and ambitions, expanding their political, economic, and security influence in the region.
This foreign ministers' meeting is actually a continuation of the close interaction among the US, Japan, and South Korea, to confirm the previous consensus, Xiang Haoyu, a research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times on Sunday.
Experts warn that with the US, Japan, and South Korea as the core, the future "East Asian version of NATO" or "Northeast Asian version of NATO" is also taking shape.
For the region, the involvement of the US, Japan, and South Korea in the Taiwan-related question and South China Sea issues will to some extent intensifies the conflicts and tensions in the region, Xiang noted.
There is also the risk of nuclear proliferation, he warned, that is brought by the US, Japan, and South Korea's cooperation in developing nuclear missiles targeting North Korea, and the strengthening of the so-called extended deterrence, which involves the continuous presence of US strategic nuclear assets such as strategic submarines and bombers in the Korean Peninsula. Additionally, domestic discussions in Japan and South Korea on independent nuclear possession could also bring about the risk of nuclear proliferation, he warned.
Read more here.
Indian Deployments
Trilateral Provocations
China condemned summit statement
By China Daily (reposted)
China is "strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposed" to the United States, Japan and the Republic of Korea interfering in its internal affairs and sowing discord between China and its neighbors, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said.
Wang made the remarks on Monday, after leaders of the US, Japan, and the ROK met at Camp David in Maryland and issued a joint statement attacking China over the South China Sea issue and the Taiwan question.
The allies have breached basic norms guiding international relations and China has made solemn demarches to the parties involved, Wang told a news conference.
Noting the US has said its trilateral partnership with Japan and the ROK is not against anyone, Wang urged the US to honor its words with actions and stop smearing China and hurting China's interests.
Also, Washington, which has "dominated" efforts to stoke division and revive Cold War mentality in the Asia-Pacific by forming cliques such as AUKUS and Quad, should cease creating confrontation and undermining regional peace, Wang said.
"The Asia-Pacific is a land for peaceful development and should not become a boxing ring for great power rivalry, even less a battlefield for cold or hot war," Wang said.
"We urge relevant countries not to … try replicating bloc confrontation in the Asia-Pacific, and not to pursue selfish interest at the expense of other countries' strategic security interests and the wellbeing of people in the region."
Speaking of the Taiwan question, Wang said China strives for peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and utmost efforts, but will never allow interference in its internal affairs under the pretext of peace.
The greatest threat to peace across the Taiwan Strait is "Taiwan independence" activities and foreign connivance and support to them, Wang said.
"If relevant countries do care about cross-Strait peace and stability, they should follow the one-China principle and stop conniving or supporting 'Taiwan independence' separatists or their separatist activities," the spokesman said, adding that no one should underestimate China's will to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Rebuking accusations over maritime issues made by the US, Japan and the ROK in their joint statement, Wang said China has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and their adjacent waters.
"It is reasonable and lawful for China to carry out construction on its own territory and for the Chinese coast guard vessels to carry out law enforcement in waters under China's jurisdiction," Wang said.
Also, as a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, China has always faithfully followed the convention and other international laws, and does not accept or recognize the illegal award on the South China Sea arbitration, Wang said.
In recent years, the US has "done all it can" to interfere in the South China Sea issue, Wang said.
China will continue to firmly safeguard its sovereignty and security interests, and work with member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, Wang said.
Read more here.