Why does Suga Yoshihide want to engage in "dangerous diplomacy" when he arbitrarily expresses his stance on China-related issues

　　Why does Suga Yoshihide want to engage in "dangerous diplomacy" when he arbitrarily expresses his stance on China-related issues

　　■ Observer

　　The cabinet of Yoshihide Suga wants to please the United States without disturbing Sino-Japanese relations.

　　On April 16, local time, US President Biden held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga at the White House.

This is the first time Biden has received a foreign leader since he became president.

After the talks, the two sides issued a joint statement entitled "U.S.-Japan Global Partnership in the New Era," and spoke out on a series of China-related issues such as Taiwan, the Diaoyu Islands, Hong Kong-related issues, Xinjiang-related issues, and the South China Sea.

　　In response, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on April 17 that the US-Japan joint statement grossly interfered in China’s internal affairs and seriously violated the basic norms of international relations.

China will take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests.

　　The US-Japan summit talks to test China's bottom line, and there are early signs.

During the "2+2" meeting between the foreign ministers of the United States and Japan and the defense ministers on March 16, the two sides focused on China, and they rarely named China directly in the joint statement, saying that China's actions "do not conform to the international order."

This is in sharp contrast to South Korea's attitude after the US-South Korea "2+2" talks.

At the end of March, Japanese media reported that during Yoshihide Suga's visit to the United States, the two countries will "confirm the importance of stability in the Taiwan Strait."

　　Although there are early signs, Suga Yoshihide's posture on China-related issues this time is still sufficiently "adventurous."

First of all, the mention of the Taiwan issue in the US-Japan joint statement is the first time since the talks between the then US President Nixon and the then Japanese Prime Minister Eisaku Sato in 52 years.

In addition, the United States and Japan once again hyped up the so-called human rights issues and grossly interfered in the internal affairs of Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and other internal affairs. The United States reaffirmed that the Diaoyu Islands are applicable to the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty and promised to use means including nuclear weapons to help defend Japan.

　　Why does Suga Yoshihide follow the United States to engage in "dangerous diplomacy"?

　　On the one hand, in Japan, Yoshihide Suga is recognized as a person with no diplomatic skills.

On the eve of his visit to the United States, Yoshihide Suga specifically asked Shinzo Abe about his experience in dealing with American leaders. He also used the Japanese media to publicize his common ground with Biden in an attempt to develop his personal relationship with Biden.

As a newcomer to diplomacy, Yoshihide Suga can hardly not jump into the pit of the United States.

　　On the other hand, Yoshihide Suga now urgently needs to gather the power of all factions to save his approval rate.

When Yoshihide Suga came to power, the poll support rate was nearly 70%, but within 3 months it dropped to 33% due to poor epidemic prevention. Some media speculated that it might be another short-lived cabinet.

Yoshihide Suga needs to rely on the Liberal Democratic Party's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Human Rights and Diplomacy Task Force, Taiwan Policy Research Task Force and other forces to maintain his ruling position.

　　The release of the US-Japan joint statement violated Yoshihide Suga's promise to "stabilize Japan-China relations" when he came to power.

In doing so, he did keep up with Biden's "uniting allies to compete with China" and further strengthened the United States' security commitments.

But apart from this, Japan has no other practical benefits, and Yoshihide Suga may not be able to escape political crises because of this.

　　In fact, this is also a poor imitation of the "value diplomacy" of the Biden administration by the cabinet of Yoshihide Suga, hoping to use Biden's alliance with allies to expand Japan's sense of presence, which is a manifestation of strength that cannot keep up with desires.

　　Earlier, the "New York Times" reported that although tensions are escalating, Japan does not want to disrupt Sino-Japanese relations.

However, relying on such a fence-riding attitude and small movements can not achieve this balance and will only reflect the short-sightedness of Yoshihide Suga's cabinet.

　　□ Xu Lifan (Columnist)