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Bangkok (AP) — The United States and its allies are increasingly on the rise with increasingly strong talks in favor of Taiwan, the New Deal to supply Australia with nuclear submarines, and the launch of a European strategy for greater involvement in the Indo-Pacific. Being aggressive. Their approach to rising China.
China is struggling to move, and due to heightened tensions between Beijing and Washington, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping over the weekend that they were “fully dysfunctional.” He begged to repair the relationship and warned that there was a risk of dividing the world.
When the UN General Assembly was held on Tuesday, the two leaders chose calm words, Biden insisted that “we are not looking for a new Cold War or a world divided into strict blocks,” Xi told the forum. China has never invaded and will never invade. ” Or bully others or seek supremacy. “
However, the underlying problem has not changed, China has built a military outpost while imposing maritime claims on important sea lanes, and the United States and its allies have claimed Taiwan as part of China’s territory. Supporting and growing loudly. Deepening military cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
On Friday, Biden invited leaders from Japan, India and Australia to face-to-face Japan-US-Australia-India strategic dialogue for a wide range of discussions, including the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, as well as in a vast region extending from India. We will also discuss how to maintain a certain Indo-Pacific. According to the White House, Australia was “free and open.”
A week after the dramatic announcement that Australia would break the traditional French submarine contract and support the British-American nuclear marine propulsion proposal, the European Union’s strategy to strengthen its political and defensive ties was announced. The obscured bomb in the Indo-Pacific.
Garimamohan, an Asian Program Fellow at the German Marshall Foundation think tank, said:
However, she said last week she emphasized the lack of coordination as networked security strategies evolved as partners pursued movements to suit their strengths and needs.
“Not everyone has the same threat rating for China,” she said in a telephone interview from Berlin.
EU policy encourages “China to play its role in the peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region” while proposing an “enhanced naval presence” and increased security cooperation with regional partners. It emphasizes the need for dialogue with Beijing.
In addition, China’s increased military buildup and increased strength and tension in regional hotspots such as the South China Sea, East China Sea, and Taiwan Strait could have a direct impact on Europe’s security and prosperity. There is. “
Germany, which has close economic ties with China, was called to awaken last week when China refused to call on the frigate Bayern, which is currently operating in the Indo-Pacific.
“In a way it’s a rude awakening for Berlin, as China tells them that this comprehensive approach doesn’t work,” Mohan said. “You have to take a position, you can’t even have your cake and eat it, and if you have an Indo-Pacific strategy … you can neutralize it can not.”
Other EU countries, especially France, are also sending naval assets for exercises in the Indo-Pacific, and the UK has been in the months while London is pursuing a new inclination to the region recently recommended by the British government. I have been practicing with the entire carrier strike group. Review of defense and foreign policy.
After refusing to call at Bavaria, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was “willing to engage in friendly exchanges with Germany on the basis of mutual respect and mutual trust,” but due to the growing presence of the Navy in the region. Expressed dissatisfaction.
“Individual forces … repeatedly dispatch military and military aircraft to the South China Sea, exercising freedom of navigation, bending muscles, causing problems, and deliberately causing conflict in maritime issues,” said a spokesman. Zhao Lijian said. “China’s determination to protect national and territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests is unwavering and will continue to properly handle differences with the countries concerned through consultations and negotiations.”
Beijing was less tolerant of the reaction to the submarine agreement with Australia. Under an agreement with Australia, the United States and Britain helped Canberra build a nuclear-powered submarine, calling it “very irresponsible” and “severely damaging the peace and stability of the region.”
Australia infuriated Paris by canceling a $ 66 billion deal with France on diesel submarines when signing an agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom. ..
Many observers are clearly frustrated by the surprising deal, but a loud reaction from France suggests that President Emmanuel Macron could be directed to a domestic audience facing reelection early next year. There is.
However, Lawrence Nardon, an expert at the French Institute for International Relations, was clearly disappointed that the United States seemed to ignore France’s own involvement in the region because it had not notified in advance. Said.
“There was a way to do this while keeping the Europeans in a loop,” she said. “The Indo-Pacific is also important to the EU. It’s not one or the other.”
In a meeting with Macron late Wednesday, Biden reaffirmed “the strategic importance of France and Europe’s involvement in the Indo-Pacific region,” according to a joint statement.
Euan Graham, an expert at Singapore’s Institute for International Strategy, has made it clear that Australia has promised to stay longer in the U.S. camp on Chinese policy than just the decision to pursue a nuclear submarine. He said he was.
Submarine agreements could exacerbate ongoing trade wars between China and Australia, and Australia wants to enter into a free trade agreement with its quad partner India to offset its economic implications. ..
Although it will take some time to outline Europe’s strategy, the plan underscores the EU’s readiness to work with its US and regional allies. This is something that was missing in the past.
“The US lacks an understanding of why Europe is interested in the Indo-Pacific and what role Europe wants to play,” Mohan said in a podcast on the issue. “There is also a lack of understanding of the US approach.”
In the outline of the strategy, the EU broadly aims to pool its resources for greater effectiveness and work more closely with quad countries, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and others.
It also envisions strengthening current operations, including the Atalanta anti-piracy mission off the Horn of Africa and in the western Indian Ocean, and the expansion of EU maritime security missions in the already expanding wider Indian Ocean region. increase. To Southeast Asia.
“Europe’s assessment is very realistic about what they can and cannot do in the region,” Mohan said. “It’s about making sure resources, spending are done and impacted correctly.”
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Brussels Associated Press writer Lorne Cook contributed to this report.
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