Asian Countries must be wary of Ukraine like trap setting in Asia
Asian countries should be wary that a similar trap to the one Ukraine fell into is being set in Asia, and they must be smarter than Europe.
No country in Asia would willingly want to be dragged into the conflict in Ukraine. However, the West is employing similar tactics in certain Asian countries as it did in Ukraine, causing them to be cautious of China and even harbour animosity toward it. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has clearly fallen into this trap.
In fact, the situation in Asia is much more complicated than in Europe, as there are numerous disputes over territorial claims as well as maritime rights and interests. Fortunately, there is no NATO in Asia and no geopolitical conflicts between blocs have been formed. Previously, territorial disputes mostly occurred between countries on a case-by-case basis. Suddenly, however, certain countries’ disputes and controversies with China have come to the forefront due to the strategic involvement of the Western Bloc.
In the past, the US generally took a “hands-off” approach when it came to territorial disputes in Asia. However, now whenever a dispute involves China, the US always supports the country that opposes China. It tries to portray China as a regional “bully” and encourages countries in the region to confront China.
Nevertheless, the situation between China and the Philippines has been in a deadlock for many years. The Philippine warship that ran aground on Ren’ai Jiao in 1999, the day after the NATO bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Yugoslavia, is still there. Both have shown some restraint in their dealings. The friction between the two countries is currently focusing on the details of how the Philippines resupplied the ship.
China feels that Marcos is trying, with the support of the US, to scare China off over the territorial dispute.
Marcos’ keynote speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue on Friday and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin’s speech on Saturday are both aimed at Asian countries. Austin denied on Saturday that NATO’s expansion has caused the Ukraine crisis, and trumpeted that the US was secure “only if Asia is.” He touted the importance of the extensive network of partnerships under the US Indo-Pacific Strategy, claiming that the US would do its utmost to fulfil its commitments to the Indo-Pacific region.
Obviously, although there is no NATO in Asia, to serve its global hegemonic strategy, the US wants regional countries to be hostile to China following the model of NATO allies or partner countries.
China hopes that Asian countries will not be dazzled by the US and will maintain their strategic sobriety. Territorial disputes are left over from history. However, it threatens and warns that if countries like the Philippines try to intimidate China with the backing of other powers, they will definitely suffer a setback and face consequences, and at that time the US will not be there to support them.
When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asian countries should have seen a nation influenced by the US and NATO, leading to the tragedy of war. Although the US and NATO express support and offer assistance, it is Ukraine and its people who suffer. Asia must not allow external forces such to set the similar trap in Asia, nor should Asia fall into the trap.
