Philippines**Marcos Jr. took the lead in responding to the call and led the leaders of the 10 ASEAN countries to visit Japan, an "extraterritorial country", with the aim of jointly resolving the issueDisputes in the South China Seaand strengthening maritime security cooperation. The move causedThe situation in the South China Seanew variations. The ASEAN-Japan summit will be held in Tokyo, with Marcos Jr. being the first ASEAN leader to arrive in Tokyo, according to Japan**.
The collective visit of the leaders of the 10 ASEAN countries to Japan can be said to be very important and sensitive. First of all, the visit symbolizes the close cooperation between ASEAN countries and Japan in regional affairs, and further consolidates Japan's influence and position in Southeast Asia. Secondly, this group visit also conveys the message that ASEAN countries seek to play inDisputes in the South China SeaIt is also a sign of pressure on China in the South China Sea. At the same time, this move also reflects the importance that Japan attaches to Southeast Asia and intends to achieve its interests and strategic goals in the region by strengthening cooperation with ASEAN countries.
InWorld War IIDuring this period, Japan saw Southeast Asia as an important strategic target, aiming to open up the so-called maritime arteries and acquire important resources in the region, such as rubber and minerals, to support the operation of its war machine. With JapanEconomyIn the eighties of the last century, Japan invested heavily in Southeast Asian countries with the aim of establishing closer relations with them. However, with the rise of China, this Southeast Asian "geese flying array" has been completely dispersed, and China has become ASEAN's largest partner, and its regional influence andEconomyThe strength has surpassed that of Japan.
Japan's long-standing emphasis and influence on Southeast Asia is closely related to its historical background and strategic considerations. First of all, Japan, as an island nation, forMarine resourcesThe degree of dependence is higher. Sea lanes in Southeast Asia are vital to Japan, so keeping these sea lanes open is essential for Japan's preservationEconomyThe sea arteries are crucial. Secondly, Japan's investment in Southeast Asia andEconomycooperation, aimed at expanding its influence in the region and ensuring its interests in the region, in particularAsian Tigersand the Asian Four Little Tiger Countries. However, with the rise of China, this "array of geese" has been broken, and China's influence and power in the regional agenda are gradually emerging.
According to the "Defense Strategy" and the analysis of experts published every year by Japan, Japan's Southeast Asian diplomatic strategy mainly focuses on four levels. First, we will work with countries bordering the Strait of Malacca, such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore, to ensure that this critical passage is open and to protect JapanEconomyof the major arteries of the sea. Second, it cooperates with claimants in the South China Sea, such as Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia, with the main goal of countering China's actions in the South China Sea and causing trouble. Third, we will work with ASEAN countries, such as Thailand and Cambodia, to maintain Japan's influence in the region. Fourth, we need to cooperate with ASEAN as a whole on maritime security. Japan's overall strategic goal is to influence China's relations with ASEAN countries, to divert China's attention by encouraging certain countries to create trouble in the South China Sea, and to build an anti-China alliance that goes beyond the first island chain in conjunction with the U.S. "Indo-Pacific Strategy."
Japan's diplomatic strategy in Southeast Asia is well-defined and has clear objectives. First of all, cooperation with the countries surrounding the Strait of Malacca is of paramount importance to Japan to ensure the smooth passage of the sea **, to ensureEconomyof sustainable development. Second, cooperation with South China Sea claimants is primarily aimed at countering China's actions in the South China Sea and creating as much trouble as possible to contain China's power. Third, we need to work with other ASEAN countries to maintain Japan's influence in the region to ensure that its interests are safeguarded. Finally, maritime security cooperation with ASEAN countries as a whole will be carried out to strengthen cooperative relations with ASEAN.
FaceThe situation in the South China SeaChina needs to respond to these new variables as early as possible and proactively. As reflected in the "Peace and Friendship-2023" multinational joint Xi exercise held by China not long ago, this is an important attempt by China to explore a new type of security cooperation with ASEAN. Among the four South China Sea claimants, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam have basically reached a consensus that a direct conflict with China in the South China Sea is unlikely. The Philippines is nowThe situation in the South China Seabut due to its domestic problems and the large gap in maritime power with China, it cannot pose much of a threat to China even if it receives external support. Therefore, Japan's attempt to join forces with the Philippines to "confront China" is doomed to fail.
China is facingThe situation in the South China SeaChange needs to be targeted. First, China should strengthen communication and cooperation with ASEAN countries, resolve disputes through consultation and negotiation, and maintain regional peace and stability. Second, China can improve its relations with ASEAN countries and enhance its influence and status in the region to promote common development. In addition, China should maintain practical cooperation with countries outside the region, including Japan, promote regional cooperation, and maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. Finally, China needs to strengthen its maritime security capabilities, protect its sovereignty and interests, and ensure security and stability in the South China Sea.
In short, Japan's attention and influence in the South China Sea did not take shape in a day, and its historical influence and strategic layout are deeply rooted in its actions and considerations. China needs to take a rational view of Japan's actions in the South China Sea, and at the same time adopt a positive and pragmatic attitude to engage in dialogue and cooperation with Japan and other relevant countries to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.