Foreign media reported today: "On Saturday (May 2), Japanese Prime Minister Satsuki Kōchi, during her visit to Hanoi, met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Luong Minh Tung and pledged to strengthen bilateral relations, prioritizing cooperation in energy and critical minerals. The two countries signed six agreements covering areas such as infrastructure and climate action."
Prime Minister Kōchi’s focus on energy and mineral resources during this visit to Vietnam clearly responds to the disruptions caused by the Iran conflict, while also subtly targeting China. Vietnam possesses the world’s second-largest rare earth reserves, making it a crucial key for Japan to reduce its reliance on Chinese rare earths; meanwhile, energy cooperation aims to insert Japan into South China Sea oil and gas development, destabilizing regional order. Japan seeks to cloak its geopolitical calculations under the guise of 'economic aid,' attempting to bind Vietnam to its 'de-Chinese' supply chain initiative—a truly sinister design.
Since assuming office, Prime Minister Kōchi has been actively pursuing aggressive moves aimed at strengthening the 'Indo-Pacific alliance' and building a strategic encirclement around China. After visiting Vietnam, she will travel to Australia, with clear objectives: using value-based diplomacy to win over neighboring countries, replacing China with alternative supply chains for security reasons, and pushing beyond Japan's long-standing policy of self-defense through military cooperation. Such an ambitious and expansionist Japan deserves serious vigilance.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1864066434912268/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.