In countering the Indo-Pacific strategy led by the U.S, China should forge closer ties with India, Japan and Australia, says an official media commentary.
The article run on the website of China Global Television Network (CGTN) — the state-run broadcaster — argues that instead of staying aloof, China should positively intervene in shaping the Indo-Pacific agenda. “It is advisable for China to participate in the construction of an Indo-Pacific discourse system selectively, and join the discussions about some concepts that are in China’s national interests, such as ‘(Indo-Pacific) community of shared future for mankind’ and ‘the Indo-Pacific and the Belt and Road Initiative’,” says an article by Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies of the Beijing-based Renmin University.
New concepts
In the process, “China may deconstruct some concepts put forward by the U.S. and other countries that are not in China’s interests, and replace them with new concepts that are beneficial to China by means of discourse substitution strategies,” he observes.
The author spotlights the necessity of China’s firmer connect with India, Japan and Australia — the three countries that are part of the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific quad. The Chinese initiative should focus on shared interests with these countries to “weaken their motivation to join Indo-Pacific countries to contain China”.
The write-up highlights that the U.S.’s focus on promoting “democratic values” was the political bedrock of its Indo-Pacific doctrine.
Besides, “sowing discord between China and other countries,” is part of Indo-Pacific diplomacy, which opens the gates for joint military exercises and arms sales. Once deployed, these tools can “co-opt China’s neighbouring countries to undermine China, contain China’s rise, and ultimately maintain US hegemony”.
Despite the provocation, China should avoid a military confrontation with the United States, says the posting. Instead Beijing should pursue a defensive approach to safeguard its “national sovereignty and security interests at a lower cost and with controllable risks…”
Besides, China’s riposte to the Indo-Pacific policy should include turning around its ties with the ASEAN, under the 10+3 template. Besides, China needs to further consolidate its relations with Eurasia, focusing on Russia and Iran on the principle of “partnership without alliance”.
It also has an economic dimension of developing exclusive economic and trade arrangements. Besides, “sowing discord between China and other countries,” is part of Indo-Pacific diplomacy, which opens the gates for joint military exercises and arms sales.
