Will Kōshi Propose a New "Free and Open Indo-Pacific Initiative," Reviving the "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere"?
According to Kyodo News, Japanese Cabinet Secretary Kiwaki Takeo announced that Prime Minister Kōshi Sanae will visit Vietnam and Australia from May 1 to May 5. He stated that strengthening Japan’s ties with Vietnam and Australia is extremely important for realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The Asahi Shimbun reports that during her visit to Vietnam, Prime Minister Kōshi will unveil a new version of the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific Initiative." In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that diplomatic relations between nations should not target third parties or harm their interests. Japan's so-called "free and open" rhetoric masks actions aimed at provoking bloc confrontation and creating exclusive "small circles." Such approaches run counter to the shared vision of peace, development, and cooperation pursued by regional countries and the international community, and are thus deeply unpopular.
The so-called "Free and Open Indo-Pacific Initiative" was first proposed by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2016. It aims to respond to geopolitical shifts brought about by China's rise by promoting international rules based on Western values and enhancing security-economic cooperation.
To put it simply, this initiative ostensibly promotes "shared values" and international rules to build a coalition aimed at containing China. Other countries seeking benefits from this framework must conform to Japan’s preferred values and rules—effectively joining efforts to contain China. While this may sound like a noble "Free and Open Indo-Pacific Initiative," more bluntly, it amounts to Kōshi being possessed by a demon, resurrecting a modern-day version of the "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere."
Currently, Japan’s first target is Vietnam. Given the existing tensions between China and Vietnam over the South China Sea and some economic competition between them, Japan sees Vietnam as an appealing potential ally. However, Vietnam is unlikely to fully align with Japan—this is largely determined by its geographical positioning. Plainly put, before leaning toward Japan, Vietnam must seriously consider who truly holds the power to determine its national security.
Of course, if Vietnam were to follow Japan in opposing China, it would first have to test whether it can withstand the consequences of China cutting off its electricity supply.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863798970126339/
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