The editors of the Wall Street Journal highlight an important question:
In a 2020 campaign with little foreign policy substance, the idea Joe Biden mentioned most was restoring alliances. Which alliances? With Mr. Biden’s inauguration less than four weeks away, some allies in the Asia-Pacific are apprehensive.
Last week Japan’s number-two civilian defense official told Reuters: “We are concerned China will expand its aggressive stance into areas other than Hong Kong. I think one of the next targets, or what everyone is worried about, is Taiwan.â€
Yasuhide Nakayama added: “So far, I haven’t yet seen a clear policy or an announcement on Taiwan from Joe Biden. I would like to hear it quickly, then we can also prepare our response on Taiwan in accordance.†He also asked, according to Reuters, “How will Joe Biden in the White House react in any case if China crosses this red line?â€
We’ll need to wait a while for President Biden’s answer. It will not be easy. We cannot be everyone’s friend. We cannot simultaneously be China’s friend, Taiwan’s friend, and Japan’s friend. I’m not sure anyone can be China’s friend other than China.
Biden would protest at the United nations.
Strongly.
Imperial China did not care for friends. Every dynasty wanted other countries to acknowledge the superiority of the Middle Kingdom, to have a tributary relationship.
History does not repeat but it does rhyme.
I would be circumspect if I were the Japanese / Taiwan. A misjudged comment or action could easily lead to a crisis. This is one area where it is better to say less and let actions speak for themselves.
One more comment — Imperial China wanted tributary relationships in style; but not necessarily in substance. Chinese dynasties were not that interested in the rest of the world….
And what are to make of the The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a free trade agreement between the Asia-Pacific nations of Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam?
China is already the main trading partner of almost all those countries, and this pact will further integrate their economies.
The US and India are excluded, but it includes five American military allies: Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, plus the Philippines. Australia and New Zealand are members of the Five Eyes.
I raised this same point yesterday. The US Ruling Class is absolutely ignorant of the ongoing reality of the World. China is attracting and subverting our closest allies. It is integrating half the World into a Coprosperity Sphere of its own.
We cannot be China’s friend, but Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, and South Korea can. Can we still be friends with them?
We are becoming isolated and irrelevant.