Curtailing China
The Washington Post reports that Japan will sign an agreement with the U.S. marking Taiwan as mutual security concern. The agreement to be signed on Saturday aligns Japan with the U.S. and Taiwan with regard to the "common strategic objectives" found in the Taiwan Strait. This along with Japan’s continued move toward modifying their post-WWII developed constitution to permit military actions beyond defense against direct aggression is a welcome move.
Unfortunately Australia, a great ally in the GWOT, has decided not to support the U.S. in our demands that the EU not end its arms embargo against China. Given China’s desire and capability to extend the reach of their military forces, one would think that Australia would take a more cautious stand. Unfortunately, economics are probably driving the deal as trade with China, and the highly valuable sale of uranium to China are taking the drivers seat in this decision. China has thanked Australia for their decision. [HT: Mad Minerva] I'm sure that makes it all worthwhile.
Previous post regarding China's military and economic expansion, the arms embargo, etc. are here, here and elsewhere.
UPDATE: I thought China's response to Porter Goss' comments before the Senate deserved inclusion here. The official response from spokesman Kong Quan.
"The U.S. warning has severely violated the conventions of international relations," Kong said. "The United States has severely interfered with Chinese internal affairs and sent a false signal to the advocates of Taiwan independence."Kong is incorrect. The U.S. has not interferred with internal affairs, sent false signals or otherwise been misleading. China is a threat to Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and the world. The Bush administration has been quietly reflecting on and responding to China's advances and are only beginning to strengthen the security of the world by bringing their actions to the attention of Congress and our allies.
