China Protests Japanese Declaration of Taiwan Strait as “Strategic Objective”

China issued a denunciation over a declaration produced by the US-Japan Security Alliance (2+2 Talks), attended by the Foreign Affairs and Defense Ministers, on selecting the Taiwan Strait as a common strategic objective, stating that it is “an unprecedented move threatening the safety of the country.”

On the other hand, Taiwan, which has pursued an independent course, greeted the decision heartily, and the Japanese media echoed the sentiment by stating that it will provide for an installment of peace in East Asia.

Chinese anger and an analysis of American-Japanese reasoning-

The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a denunciation on Sunday immediately after ministerial talks between Japan and the United States, stating that the declaration “meddles in the internal affairs of China, and hurts China’s sovereignty.”

The People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party, attacked the statement through a commentary on February 21, stating that the declaration was “a blatant interference in China’s sovereignty, unification of its lands, and the security of the country,” and that “the Chinese people will not permit this move.”

Chinese foreign security experts stated that by taking the unprecedented move of selecting the Taiwan Strait as their common strategic objective, the United States and Japan have formulated a global strategy by choosing China as a potential adversary.

An expert stated that “The United States and Japan are perceiving the rise of China as the largest threat to the strategic goals of the two countries,” and that “By making the unprecedented move of selecting the Taiwan Strait as their common strategic objective, the two countries will deal with China’s economic rise using military strategic methods.”

The Hong Kong media stated that “The United States and Japan are concerned with China’s improvement in its navy forces and its submarines,” and that “the joint declaration stems from an incident in November last year in which a Chinese nuclear submarine entered Japanese territorial waters.”

Taiwan states: “It will aid our national security”-

The Taiwan Foreign Ministry stated on February 20 that “we welcome the joint decision, as it will aid in Taiwan’s national security.”

Lee Deng-hui, former president and a fierce advocate for an independent Taiwan, observed that “The ‘Anti-Subversion Law’ which China plans to pursue in March to oppose Taiwan independence is being opposed by Taiwan and the United States,” and that “by the Taiwan Strait being included in the common strategic initiative of Japan and the United States, China will find it difficult to attack Taiwan by force.”

Japan calls for calm amidst a mood of elation-

Japanese Defense Agency Chief Yoshinori Ono, Minister of stated on February 21 that “We will strengthen cooperation with the United States in all areas including the collection, sharing, and analysis of information,” and that “the unity of the two countries will be strengthened,” expressing the heightened U.S.-Japan alliance.

Most Japanese media, including NHK stated that the joint statement issued by the United States and Japan reflects future cooperation on discussions on reorganizing American troops in Japan, the communal usage of army bases, and the division of responsibility between the Japanese and American army.

On the other hand, Asahi Shimbun stated in its editorial that “Japan should be concerned with China’s move towards military strengthening, but China is still Japan’s border nation,” and that “Japan should work towards requesting China to display control and transparency, while working to relieve tensions.”

Yoo-Seong Hwang Won-Jae Park yshwang@donga.com parkwj@donga.com