US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (L) and Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada, at the end of their joint press conference, Tokyo, June 1, 2023 (Franck Robichon/AP)
I joined Monocle Radio’s Emma Nelson on Friday morning to discuss latest developments from the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore to the floor of the US Senate in Washington.
Listen from 2:33:
I begin with the Dialogue, taking the analysis beyond the headlines about US-China tensions to consider the regional and global dynamics involving other countries. I look at Beijing’s development of an alternative economic system; its refusal of bilateral talks with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Singapore; and how its relations from Europe to its Asian backyard reshape political and military positions.
After thoughts on China distancing itself from Russia over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, it’s over to Washington where a combination of the Biden Administration’s maneuvers and pragmatic rather than fire-breathing Republicans have averted a crisis over the US debt limit.
Will China ever be forgiven for its neutral stance on this conflict?
We hear a lot about the West’s concerns over technology transfer and intellectual property “theft”. But, in return, China opened up its vast market to the West, and it allowed Western companies to take advantage of its cheap labour force. An economic relationship has to be a fair one, bringing benefits to all parties involved.
As for [the] war in Ukraine: Italy’s decision to please the US by pulling out of the Belt and Road Initiative must be causing a great deal of concern in Beijing.