After concluding visits to Japan and South Korea, United States President Donald Trump arrives on Wednesday in Beijing, where there is concern about a fledgling security relationship between Washington, Tokyo, Canberra and New Delhi in the Indo-Pacific area.
On Monday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, buoyed by his recent electoral success, presented the visiting U.S. President a plan for a “free and open Indo-Pacific strategic partnership.”
“The idea is to strengthen ties among Japan, the U.S., India and Australia, and is apparently designed to counter China's growing economic and military influence in Asia,” the Nikkei Asian Review reported on its website.
“Maintenance and enhancement of maritime order that is free and open is critically important for peace and prosperity of this region,” Mr. Abe observed at a joint press conference with Mr. Trump.
He stressed that Tokyo and Washington “concurred” that they should beef up cooperation to realise “a free and open Indo-Pacific".
Mr. Abe first unveiled his "Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy," last year, with considerable focus on the Malacca Straits — the vital junction between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific — the trade lifeline for the Asia Pacific, including China and Japan. According to Nikkei, the Japanese Premier’s blueprint converges on achieving “growth and stability around the Indian Ocean by focusing on fast-growing Asia and the high growth potential of Africa”.
It adds that Mr. Abe’s approach involving four countries “is partly intended to keep in check China's growing presence in the region under its "One Belt, One Road" initiative, aimed at extending its reach beyond its borders”.
Japan hopes to establish a ministerial dialogue between the quad, followed by talks among their leaders.
The Chinese view the Indo-Pacific doctrine as a transparent attempt by the quad group to contain its rise.
Convergence must not target third country: Chinese foreign ministry
Ahead of Mr. Trump’s visit to Asia, the Chinese foreign ministry warned that a nascent convergence among the quad must not target a third country. "We hope it would be beneficial for improving the mutual trust among countries and regions, at the same time safeguarding and promoting peace, tranquility, and prosperity within the area, without targeting or damaging a third party's interest," it told the Indo-Asian News Service.
Before Mr. Trump touches down in Beijing, the Chinese have made elaborate preparations to welcome their guest, well aware that they can broker deals with U.S. President, who does not approach their country with a zero-sum mindset.
A commentary in the People’s Daily said that apart from security concerns such as North Korea, energy, infrastructure, a regional free trade arrangement, as well as inviting Washington to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative are likely to feature during Mr. Trump’s visit.
“Around 40 companies will follow Trump to visit China, 10 of which are energy enterprises like Cheniere Energy, the only company sending America’s shale gas overseas,” says Lv Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
Building a port on U.S. west coast
“I think the two nations will surely discuss the possibility of building a port on the U.S. west coast to export natural gas, boosting bilateral cooperation in energy,” he added.
Other scholars see excellent opportunities for Chinese investments in the U.S. infrastructure sector.
Wang Huiyao, director of the Center for China and Globalization, said: “Mr. Trump has rolled out plans to upgrade America’s infrastructure, but his $1 trillion plan is as elusive as ever. On the other hand, China has spent $11 trillion on infrastructure in the past decade, accumulating rich experience in building high-speed rails, roads, and energy plants and proving itself to be a strong partner.”
The Chinese have also not given up on the U.S. joining the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), as well as promoting a Free Trade Area of the Asian Pacific (FTAAP) with both the U.S. and China as partners.
Ahead of Mr. Trump’s arrival, Chinese President Xi Jinping, keen on promoting innovation in his country, met the CEO’s of Facebook, Tesla, Apple and Google.
