The United States Strengthens Its Network To “Siege” China | World



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“Quadrilateral Safety” Building Level Practice

Yesterday afternoon (August 29), the Pentagon announced that the meeting between the US Secretary of Defense, Mark Esper, and his Japanese counterpart, Taro Kono, had just taken place on the island of Guam.

Affirming the strength of the US-Japan alliance, the two ministers discussed many issues related to the free and open Indo-Pacific (Indo-Pacific) strategy. Both are committed to maintaining order and stability based on international law in the East and East China Seas. Therefore, Washington and Tokyo agreed to continue to support the development of defense cooperation capabilities for the contents of the integrated missile defense and air defense (IAMD) and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) system.

This can be seen as a move to tighten alliance relations in response to China’s actions in the region, especially in the Indo-Pacific in general, as well as in the East Sea and the East China Sea in particular.

Commenting on the conversation, Dr. Satoru Nagao said that this is a significant move. Kono is an expert on foreign and defense policy and is a good candidate to succeed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who announced his resignation on August 28. Therefore, increasing contact with Minister Kono may help Washington to strengthen relations with Tokyo in the coming time, especially with regard to strengthening the cooperation of the group of the “security ring” that includes the US. Japan – Australia – India.

Turning to China, in an online event held by the Atlantic Council Research Center (US) late at night 8-28 (VN time), US National Security Advisor Robert C. O’Brien also harshly criticized targeting Beijing. Regarding the South China Sea, Adviser O’Brien said that Beijing has made a sovereignty claim “cow’s tongue” in this sea is “ridiculous.”

Also at the event, O’Brien revealed that there will be a meeting with his counterparts from Japan, India and Australia in October, and that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will also have a meeting with foreign ministers. The boss just mentioned next October. One of the discussions at these two meetings will focus on China-related issues.

In recent years, the “security ring” is one of the important foundations of the free and open Indo-Pacific strategy that Washington follows in response to China’s rise. Therefore, the strengthening of cooperation of the group “security ring” plays an important role in the above strategy.

The United States strengthens its network of 'siege' to China 1

Block in the South Pacific

Not only consolidating the “security ring”, before the talks with the Japanese Defense Minister on the island of Guam, Defense Minister Mark Esper on August 28 will tour Palau.

Dr Satoru Nagao (Hudson Research Institute, USA) said that the visit to Palau is of great importance due to the island’s position in the South Pacific. “Recently, China has expanded its air strike and missile capabilities, bringing US bases in Japan or the Philippines within range of the Beijing attack. China is also expanding its naval operations in waters east of the Philippines. Therefore, Washington needs to strengthen the bases of support. In particular, for Washington, the facilities in Hawaii, Guam and the Palau Islands play a very important role in acting as a safe logistics route from the US mainland to the Philippines, ”analyzed Dr. Nagao.

Meanwhile, according to him, China has also put pressure on Palau recently. In the past, China invested heavily in the island nation and tourist arrivals from China are also a major source of Palau’s income. However, Palau is one of 15 countries that have official diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Unable to change the relationship between Palau and Taiwan, China has cut off both investment and tourism with Palau, leaving this island nation facing many difficulties.

In this context, the United States needs to strengthen relations and support Palau, ”according to Dr. Nagao. This is a major stop for the US in the South Pacific in the Indo-Pacific region.




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