Asian Nations Take Up Defensive Positions On China

With the rivalry between the United States and China showing no signs of abating, countries in Asia have taken steps to strengthen their defense and strategic security or prevent tensions from spiraling, Maria Siow reported for the South China Morning Post (SCMP).

In a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Beijing last week, Chinese President Xi Jinping called on the US to be a partner of China instead of “saying one thing and doing another.” I Photo: Secretary Antony Blinken X

In a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Beijing last week, Chinese President Xi Jinping called on the US to be a partner of China instead of “saying one thing and doing another.”

Blinken, in turn, raised concerns about China’s supply of goods that could have military uses to Russia, and days later the US imposed sanctions on 20 Hong Kong and mainland Chinese companies for alleged involvement in the development of Russia’s industrial base and military.

Last month, the US, Japan, and the Philippines held their first-ever trilateral summit aimed at what the White House called “deepening and revitalizing existing alliances and partnerships,” adding that China has “no reason” to view it as a threat.

Before the summit, President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had announced a raft of agreements spanning defense, space, culture, diplomacy, and research, and agreed to respond to challenges concerning China through close coordination.