TOKYO – Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Tokyo fired rhetorical rounds at Beijing in a symbolic act to open up the Biden government’s diplomacy abroad.
“China uses coercion and aggression to systematically erode autonomy in Hong Kong, undermine democracy in Taiwan, abuse human rights in Xinjiang and Tibet and enforce maritime claims in the South China Sea that violate international law,” said Blinken at a press conference. “We will retreat, if necessary, to China’s coercion or aggression.”
Mr. Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin were in Japan on Tuesday on the first trip abroad of members of President Biden’s cabinet. They said the United States and Japan would reinforce deterrence to meet China’s challenges.
The discussion about China took up a large part of a 90-minute meeting with Blinken, said Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.
Motegi said the two sides share concerns about a new law that allows the Chinese coast guard to use military force to defend national sovereignty. Tokyo fears that Beijing will use force to seize islands in the East China Sea, controlled by Japan but claimed by China.
Austin said the US military must respond to the rapid advances made by Beijing as a fighting force over the past two decades. “Our goal is to ensure that we maintain a competitive advantage over China or anyone else who wants to threaten us or threaten our alliance,” he said.
American and Japanese officials have not detailed any new initiatives, but in a joint statement Japan said it would increase its defense and the allies said they would build partnerships with other democracies. On Friday, Biden spoke via video link to the leaders of India, Australia and Japan, a group known as Quad, which has taken on new significance as a counterweight to China.
From left: Mr. Austin, Mr. Blinken, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Mr. Motegi and Mr. Kishi in Tokyo on Tuesday.
Photograph:
Kim Kyung-hoon / Associated Press
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian, speaking on Tuesday before the Tokyo meetings concluded, said Beijing believes that consultations with US officials should benefit peace and stability in the region and “no they must be directed at third parties or harm the interests of third parties. “
Beijing has rejected US criticism of its policies in Hong Kong, Xinjiang and other areas on its periphery, saying they are internal affairs.
Blinken and Austin’s visits to Tokyo and Seoul this week reflect Biden’s goal of building a consensus on China with Asian allies who are sometimes more cautious in confronting Beijing because of close economic ties.
Japan’s trade with China exceeds that with the US, and Japanese technology companies, especially those that manufacture industrial robots, semiconductors and electronic parts, rely heavily on sales to China. Tokyo was preparing to host Chinese leader Xi Jinping for a state visit last year, before the plan was shelved because of the coronavirus pandemic.
There is also conflict between some key members of Japan’s ruling party who have ties to China and younger politicians more concerned about Beijing’s rapid military rise, said Mieko Nakabayashi, a professor at Waseda University in Tokyo.
Japan has recently intensified its open criticism of China, joining a statement by the Group of Seven nations that condemns Beijing’s moves to end democracy in Hong Kong.
Messrs. Blinken and Austin also met with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Tuesday. US cabinet members will travel to South Korea on Wednesday.
South Korea has been cautious about provoking China, its largest export market and a potential channel for reengagement with North Korea. He distanced himself from speculation that he might become a fifth member of the Quad group of nations.
Seoul’s deputy foreign minister said on a radio program last week that his country would not participate in forums that exclude a particular country.
“As far as I know, South Korea has never had, and still does not have, a well thought out policy for China, other than trying not to irritate it,” said Wi Sung-lac, a former South Korean diplomat who retired in 2015
That approach to China opened up the South Korean economy to Beijing’s coercion and generated hope in Beijing that Seoul could be disconnected from the U.S. orbit, Wi said. President Moon Jae-in’s government has repeatedly said it is committed to Seoul’s military alliance with Washington.
Later this week, Mr. Blinken and national security adviser Jake Sullivan will meet with his Chinese colleagues in Alaska, while Mr. Austin will travel to India.
—Andrew Jeong, from Seoul, contributed to this article.
Write to Alastair Gale at [email protected]
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