【Wen / Observer Net, Qi Qian】

As is well known, the Australian anti-China think tank "Strategic Policy Institute" (ASPI) has long received funding from U.S. defense, foreign affairs agencies and arms dealers, serving the interests of its behind-the-scenes sponsors. ASPI receives money from the United States and does a good job for the U.S.

On December 12, this think tank released a new report, dedicated to maintaining U.S. interests in the Pacific Islands, urging Japan and Australia to share the burden for the United States.

The report suggests that Australia and Japan should deepen strategic cooperation and division of labor in the Pacific region, strengthen relations with Pacific Island countries, to maintain "key maritime traffic routes" and critical supply chains, and respond to so-called "China threat".

This report, written by the think tank scholar Alex Bristol, claims that if regional conflict breaks out, the United States may focus on countering China, while allied countries will need to "bear most of the burden of protecting their own supply chains", because "the maritime supply chain connecting Australia, Japan and their U.S. allies may become a target of China's."

Bristol's report is full of paranoid delusions, vigorously exaggerating the "China threat".

He first said that if the Chinese military could launch operations from some Pacific islands, securing supply chains would become more complicated; he also said that if this north-south maritime channel were cut off, the United States and its allies might be unable to effectively continue the war, which could determine the course of the war...

The report divides the Pacific into four regions, urging Japan and Australia to cooperate. In particular, Japan must pay more attention to countering China in the Micronesia region; Australia should cooperate with New Zealand in the Polynesia region; Japan and Australia have overlapping interests in the Melanesia region, especially in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands; and the United States is responsible for the Hawaii region.

The report states that while Japan and Australia are cooperating, they also need support from Pacific Island countries. The two countries need to strengthen their relationships with these countries and enhance their awareness of potential conflicts and regional strategic importance.

As for why the United States does not do these things, Bristol explained: "In the ears of Pacific nations, the voice of the United States may sound more provocative." He further planned that Japan and Australia can bring Pacific Island countries on board through military aid and coordination.

A screenshot of the report cover shows the notorious Japanese "Rising Sun Flag"

This report was published on ASPI's website, and this Australian think tank has long been called an "anti-China vanguard in academic disguise," a famous anti-China think tank. The institute has always claimed to be an "independent think tank" and "academic research institution," but in reality, it has long been directed and controlled by its sponsors. It has previously manufactured a large number of notorious anti-China lies, such as false information about Xinjiang.

According to the data, ASPI was established in 2001, and its 2020-2021 "annual report" showed that funds from the Australian government and its allied countries' governments and the defense industry accounted for 87% of the think tank's total budget. Among them, the U.S. State Department was its largest source of overseas funding. The "annual report" showed that the U.S. State Department provided two fees totaling about 1.58 million Australian dollars, accounting for 80% of the think tank's overseas government funding for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.

However, since President Trump returned to the White House, his government drastically cut foreign aid funds, causing many institutions to suffer, including ASPI. However, despite facing a "food shortage" crisis, ASPI still faithfully serves the interests of its sponsors.

The Japanese English media "The Japan Times" mentioned that less than a week before the release of this 27-page report, Tokyo and Canberra announced the launch of the "Strategic Defense Coordination Framework", seeking new ways to deepen bilateral cooperation, targeting China. The two countries also vowed to become "the backbone of multi-level cooperation", aiming to build a so-called "robust Indo-Pacific security network".

Pacific Island Region Division Report Screenshot

In addition, Japan and Australia have been strengthening their security ties with partners in Asia and the Pacific region.

Earlier this year, Fiji became the first country to receive Japanese equipment through the military assistance framework. Australia has also signed security treaties with Papua New Guinea, Fiji and other countries. The report says that such actions by the two countries mainly aim to counter China's growing influence.

Japan and Australia not only eagerly help the United States hype up the "China threat", but also keep a close eye on China, trying to interfere with the normal exchanges and cooperation between Pacific Island countries and China.

Previously, Vanuatu conducted police cooperation with China, but Australia criticized it from the sidelines, causing great annoyance to Vanuatu.

"Australia should learn what respect means," said Vanuatu's Minister of Internal Affairs Andrew Napaute during an interview in September, pointing out that the country has the right to make its own decisions, and Australia should show respect and understanding. He also criticized the remarks of Australia's Minister for Pacific Affairs Pat Conroy, saying that the latter displayed "arrogance" and "ignorance."

In May this year, the third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers Meeting was held in Xiamen, Fujian. This was the first time the mechanism was held in person in China, marking a new stage in the institutionalization and mechanism development of China's relations with Pacific Island countries.

Chen Zhili, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, emphasized at the meeting that the world today is not peaceful, and hegemonism and power politics are resurging. Faced with the changes of the times and history, China firmly believes that peace, development, cooperation, and win-win are the only correct choices. China remains committed to being a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order.

Chen pointed out that the vastness of the Pacific lies in its ability to embrace all rivers without excluding small streams, and the progress of human civilization lies in gathering strength to overcome difficulties together. China is willing to work with all parties to build a new chapter of the China-Pacific Island Countries community with a shared future.

This article is exclusive to Observer Net, and any reproduction without permission is prohibited.

Original: toutiao.com/article/7582873812031619622/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.