Looking at the diplomatic game between China and Japan from the ASEAN summit
The ASEAN summit in 2024 is calm on the surface, but in fact there are undercurrents.
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Indonesia's new President Prabowo has made China his first visit a high-profile country, releasing a strong signal of ASEAN's deepening cooperation with China, while Japan's new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has eaten a "closed door" at his diplomatic debut, and the change in the attitude of ASEAN countries is intriguing.
On the one hand, they open their doors and invite each other warmly, and on the other hand, they are cold-eyed bystanders and even warns, which reflects the decline and decline of the influence of China and Japan in Southeast Asia, and also indicates profound changes in the regional pattern in the future.
"Asian version of NATO"? Don't come to the sidelines!
After Shi Po Shigeru came to power, he dissolved the House of Representatives and prepared non-stop to participate in the ASEAN summit, eager to brush up his presence on the diplomatic stage.
However, before he could start performing, a basin of cold water was poured on the Indonesian media: "keep your mouth shut" during the ASEAN summit and stop mentioning the idea of an "Asian version of NATO", otherwise it will only bring shame on yourself.
This warning mercilessly lifted the fig leaf of Japan's diplomacy.
All along, Japan politicians and media have been keen to hype up the "China threat theory" and try to portray China as an "imaginary enemy" of regional security, and find an excuse for their own arms expansion and war, and forming gangs.
Shigeru Ishiba's idea of an "Asian version of NATO" is a product of this Cold War mentality.
The essence of this idea is to draw regional countries into confrontation with China, Russia, and the DPRK and to replicate NATO's military confrontation model in the Asia-Pacific region.
However, ASEAN countries are well aware of this, and they yearn for a peaceful and stable development environment and do not want to be drawn into the vortex of confrontation between major powers. The warning of the Indonesian media is a clear signal to Japan on behalf of ASEAN countries: "Asian version of NATO"? Sorry, we're not interested!
What's more, Japan itself has a mess to clean up, from sluggish economic development to the discharge of nuclear wastewater, every problem has greatly damaged Japan's image in the hearts of regional countries.
What qualifications does a country that cannot even solve its own problems have to point fingers at regional security issues?
China: Win-win cooperation, the circle of friends is getting bigger and bigger
In stark contrast to Japan, China's influence in Southeast Asia is growing. Indonesia's new President Prabowo has made China his first visit fully reflects the trust of ASEAN countries in China and their expectations for future cooperation.
Over the years, China has always adhered to sincere cooperation and mutual benefit with ASEAN countries, and the two sides have achieved fruitful results in the fields of economy, trade, investment and infrastructure construction.
China has maintained its position as ASEAN's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, and the trade volume between the two sides has repeatedly reached new highs. China's investment in ASEAN is also growing steadily, injecting strong impetus into the local economy.
More importantly, China has never interfered in the internal affairs of ASEAN countries and has never attached any political conditions, and this model of cooperation of equality and mutual benefit has won wide praise from ASEAN countries.
China's cooperation with ASEAN is not only limited to the economic field, but also actively carries out dialogue and cooperation with ASEAN countries in the field of security, so as to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.
The new security concept advocated by China advocates the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, which is highly consistent with the principles of dialogue, consultation, joint contribution and shared security cooperation pursued by ASEAN, and provides new ideas and solutions for regional security governance.
China stands for resolving disputes in the South China Sea through dialogue and consultation, working with ASEAN countries to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, and creating a favorable security environment for the development of countries in the region.
Japan: The old routine doesn't work anymore
Japan, on the other hand, is still stuck in the Cold War mentality in its foreign policy, trying to protect its own interests by forming factions and creating confrontation. This approach is not only unpopular, but also doomed to failure.
Japan's influence in Southeast Asia is declining, and its economic power and political influence cannot be matched by China. Japan's investments in Southeast Asia often have political strings attached, which has caused discontent among ASEAN countries.
In addition, Japan's discharge of nuclear sewage has seriously damaged its image as a regional country. Under such circumstances, if Japan does not change its course and continue to obses, it will only further isolate itself and eventually shoot itself in the foot.
Southeast Asia is one of the most dynamic regions in the world, and it is also an important stage for the diplomatic game between China and Japan.
China will continue to adhere to the path of peaceful development, work with ASEAN countries to build a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future, and make greater contributions to regional peace, stability and prosperity.
Whether Japan continues to indulge in the glory of the past or recognizes reality, conforms to the trend of the times, and makes the right choice will determine its status and role in the region and the world.
ASEAN Summit: Refuse to take sides, peaceful development is the main theme
The 2024 ASEAN summit comes at a time when the regional situation is changing, and the wrestling between various parties is becoming more intense, which also makes this summit particularly eye-catching.
Indonesia, as the rotating chair of ASEAN, made it clear that the summit will focus on economic development, regional cooperation and other issues, and is committed to building ASEAN into a global economic growth center.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno stressed that ASEAN will not take sides in the competition between major powers and will continue to pursue an independent foreign policy to safeguard its own interests and regional peace and stability.
This statement has undoubtedly poured cold water on those extraterritorial forces that are trying to win over ASEAN and sow discord in the region.
ASEAN countries have clearly realized that only by adhering to unity, self-improvement, and win-win cooperation can they be invincible in the complex and ever-changing international environment.
The South China Sea issue: Dialogue and consultation are the right path
As a hot and difficult issue in the region, the South China Sea issue has always attracted much attention.
China and ASEAN countries are actively promoting consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea and are committed to building the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.
However, some foreign forces are constantly stirring up trouble on the South China Sea issue, trying to provoke incidents and create tension in order to achieve their goal of containing China and maintaining their hegemony.
Japan is one of the most active. Japan not only actively participates in the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy" led by United States, but also tries to introduce NATO into the Indo-Pacific region, with the aim of containing China's development.
Japan's actions on the South China Sea issue have seriously violated its commitments on historical issues and undermined regional peace and stability.
The spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry has stressed on many occasions that China firmly opposes any country undermining China's sovereignty and security interests in the name of freedom of navigation and overflight.
China urges relevant countries to respect the efforts of regional countries to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, stop all provocative acts, and play a constructive role in maintaining regional peace and stability.
The Sino-Japanese Game: ASEAN's Choice
the asean summit is an important window to observe the trend of the regional situation and an important stage for the diplomatic game between china and japan .
China will continue to uphold the concept of amity, sincerity, benefit and inclusiveness, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with ASEAN countries, and promote the building of a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.
Japan, on the other hand, if it does not change its course and continues to be obsessed, will only harm its own interests in the end and be abandoned by the times.
ASEAN countries have shown with concrete actions that they will not choose sides between China and the United States, and their choice is peace and development.
The ASEAN summit will continue to build consensus and gather strength for regional peace and development.