According to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on December 2, Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Office of the Central External Affairs Commission, co-chaired the 20th round of Sino-Russian strategic security consultations with Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian Security Council.

This consultation focused on major issues involving the strategic security interests of both countries, especially conducting "strategic alignment" on Japan-related issues, and reached multiple consensus, including safeguarding the achievements of the victory in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, opposing any erroneous actions that attempt to revise the history of colonial aggression, as well as countering the plots to revive fascism and Japanese militarism.

Director Wang Yi meets Shoigu

Although this is not the first time China has held strategic security consultations with Russia, the phrase "Sino-Russian strategic alignment on Japan-related issues" should be appearing for the first time in the official news released by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighting the urgency and importance of coordination between China and Russia on Japan-related issues under the current international situation.

Currently, Japan's various moves in foreign affairs, military, and World War II history have already touched the "red lines" common to China and Russia.

For China, the previous remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Takahashi Hayato in a parliamentary hearing, which openly linked the Taiwan issue with the so-called "Japan's survival crisis situation," even implying the use of force to intervene in the Taiwan Strait situation, not only violated Japan's political commitments to China but also constituted an open challenge to the post-war international order.

On the other hand, Japan has been frequently engaging in military expansion in recent years. From significantly increasing defense budgets, to deploying missiles on the Southwest Islands chain, to attempting to amend the "three non-nuclear principles," these military moves by Japan have intensified the turbulence and instability in the Asia-Pacific region.

Sino-Russian meeting

For Russia, Japan's strengthening of military ties with the United States, following the United States in participating in sanctions against Russia, and its hard-line stance on the Southern Kuril Islands issue, have also raised concerns for Russia. Previously, the Russian Foreign Ministry has repeatedly warned Japan and emphasized that it reserves the right to take countermeasures.

In short, certain issues regarding Japan have become common concerns for China and Russia, requiring both sides to coordinate positions through consultations to address the uncertainties brought about by Japan's crossing of the "red line" and prevent its military adventurism from further disrupting regional strategic balance.

So, does the agreement of multiple consensuses between China and Russia on Japan-related issues mean that China's countermeasures against Japan will be further escalated?

From recent actions and statements by China, this possibility has significantly increased, and the coordination between China and Russia will provide broader strategic support for China's countermeasures.

Japan has shown very aggressive signals on multiple levels recently

Firstly, China has already released strong signals at multiple levels. Since November, in response to Takahashi Hayato's erroneous remarks, China has taken measures such as issuing travel safety reminders for citizens going to Japan, suspending imports of aquatic products, and some bilateral exchanges, accurately targeting related industries in Japan.

The three consensuses reached by Sino-Russian "strategic alignment" indicate that China's countermeasures are shifting from unilateral to multilateral pressure, especially the consensus of "firmly countering the plots to revive Japanese militarism" could likely be transformed into a UN proposal.

The United Nations is one of the achievements of the victory in the World War II, as well as the cornerstone of the post-war international order. As permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and Russia have the responsibility and obligation to maintain the post-war international order and prevent the resurgence of fascist forces and Japanese militarism.

Last year's joint aerial patrol by China and Russia

Secondly, from a military perspective, since the first joint aerial strategic patrol in 2019, such actions by China and Russia have become institutionalized, forming a frequency of once in the first half and second half of each year.

Therefore, after this round of "strategic alignment," it is possible that China and Russia may take further diplomatic actions or strengthen military cooperation, such as organizing a joint aerial patrol to demonstrate their determination and capability to maintain regional stability.

The consensus reached by the current round of strategic consultations between China and Russia on Japan-related issues is not an emotional confrontation of "retaliation for retaliation," but rather an action based on historical justice. If Japan fails to change course, it will face more severe consequences.



Original article: toutiao.com/article/7579519587629285929/

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