February 21

【Part 1】 US-China Competition and the Indo-Pacific region : (1) Politics and Security

The intensifying US-China competition in the Indo-Pacific region was actively discussed in terms of the future of US-China relations and regional security and of the views of regional countries.

The view was shared that the US-China competition will inevitably be a prolonged one as it is multifaceted and structural. Concerns were expressed about the decline in political dialogue and people-to-people exchanges between the US and China as well as the shrinking areas in which the US and China can cooperate, such as pandemics, climate change, and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

It was also pointed out that Russia's aggression against Ukraine has had a major impact on the security strategies of countries in the Indo-Pacific region and has intensified uncertainty in regional security. While there was convergence of views that Russia's aggression against Ukraine is contrary to international norms and international law, a negative view was also expressed about applying the picture of a systemic competition between democratic and authoritarian regimes advocated by the United States to the politically and economically diverse Indo-Pacific region.

Regarding Japan, the major shift in its security policy resulting from the revision of the National Security Strategy at the end of last year was favourably received as contributing to regional peace and stability, and expectations were voiced for Japan's role in the multi-layered cooperation needed in the region. It was also noted that Japan plays a role in linking the United States as a global power to the Indo-Pacific region through a strong US-Japan partnership. In relation to historical issues, on the other hand, the opinion was offered that Japan's security policy should give careful consideration to neighbouring countries.

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