SOMEHOW Asia-Pacific has become a new flashpoint in regional as well as international politics. Interesting but conflicting geopolitical and geostrategic scenarios are happening in and around the South China Sea and Asia-Pacific leading the regional countries towards more political understanding and diplomatic unity avoiding any security risk. Unfortunately, intentionally, global movers and shakers are carrying out proxies in the Asia-Pacific region, marginalizing the prospects of greater socio-economic prosperity and regional peace and stability. The mad race of hegemony and containment are going side by side against China.
It seems that the external forces have byzantine relations among China, Japan and South Korea. The new challenges pertaining to regional security, respect of mutual sovereignty, territorial integrity and human survival have also encouraged these regional countries to seek new paths for cooperation in the current global political and economic landscape. This has been a key factor in the increasing signs of warming trilateral cooperation which is a good omen.
Undoubtedly, China, Japan and South Korea possess the necessary foundation for economic and trade cooperation. Enhancing economic cooperation among the three regional countries, representing a real economic powerhouse is not only essential for regional development, but will also be crucial in promoting peace and prosperity in East Asia and globally. So seemingly it is geopolitical factors, rather than economic considerations that have impeded their collaboration but hopefully these countries should follow the right path of geo-economics promoting economic integration instead of military upgrading, bloc mentality and continuation of bitter hang-over of the past histories of hostilities and horrendous crimes against humanity. As a result of the recent decoupling push by the US, Japan and South Korea, as key Asian allies of the US, have aligned their stance with the US on various issues, including taking a tough approach toward China in areas such as supply chains, science and technology. However, this misjudgement has had a significant impact on their national economies and trade. Moreover, missile geopolitics is at its peak in Asia-Pacific signalling greater regional instability and disharmony despite the Chinese wisdom for conflict resolution through dialogue, diplomacy, development and determination. South Korea’s exports decreased 7.4 percent year-on-year in 2023, and it also recorded a trade deficit of US$18 billion with China in 2023, its first such bilateral shortfall with China in 31 years.
Facing growing economic pressure and risks from following the US decoupling push, Japan and South Korea appear to be reassessing the significance of their relationships with China and are more inclined to enhance communication with China. Notwithstanding, to achieve effective trilateral communication and cooperation, Japan and South Korea need not only to demonstrate sincerity in improving relations, but more importantly, the three countries need to find innovative ways to collaborate amid the US push for “decoupling” and “breaking chains,” as failure to do so will result in consequences for all parties involved.
It is suggested that further strengthening of trilateral relations and incorporation of real mutual trust and promoting cooperation should be achieved through the establishment of more frequent dialogue and communication mechanisms. It is suggested that China, Japan and South Korea should reduce their reliance on a single external market by enhancing cooperation within a multilateral framework. It is also suggested to expedite negotiations for the China-Japan-South Korea free trade agreement broadening collaboration in trade, investment, technology exchanges and environmental protection. Additionally, cooperation would be bolstered within the ASEAN plus China, Japan and South Korea mechanism to promote the growth of the entire region.
In terms of mitigating risks, China, Japan and South Korea could focus on diversifying their supply chains by identifying alternative sources and improving the connectivity of their internal supply chains. Moreover, these countries can address external pressures through policy coordination and information sharing, while also fostering cultural and talent exchanges to seek mutually beneficial solutions that uphold their respective national interests. Furthermore, the three can strengthen cooperation in some non-sensitive or non-strategic areas, such as environmental protection, climate change, renewable energy and public health.
Obviously, through working jointly the three countries can achieve a mutually beneficial outcome. There is no alternative. Despite the challenges, it is essential to resist the pressure by the US as a way to promote cooperation and avoid losses by the three parties. As East Asia remains the most vital engine of the global economy, the way in which these three countries collaborate will significantly influence global development. In summary, Indian BrahMos missiles have been deployed in the Philippines under a $ 375 million deal signed in 2022 is another prime example of an arms race in the Asia-Pacific cornering China. A series of joint military drills among the anti-China allies are being conducted to demonstrate their military strength.
According to the Missile Defense Agency and Japan’s Defense Ministry, the US and Japan signed a cooperative agreement to co-develop a hypersonic missile defence capability designed to neutralize hypersonic threats in the glide phase of flight. The two countries have been in talks regarding the possibility for well over a year. The MDA is still early in the development process for the Gild Phase Interceptor. Two companies are competing to design GPI Raytheon Technologies and Northrop Grumman. Regional peace and stability heavily depends on indigenous wisdom not the borrowed wizards promoting spirits of conflicts and contradictions to secure their own vested interests.
— The writer is President: Pak-China Corridor of Knowledge, Pakistan, Executive Director: The Centre for South & International Studies (CSAIS) Islamabad, Regional Expert: Indonesia, China, CPEC & BRI
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