Washington and its allies regional destabilizers

Following the"2+2" talks between the United States and Japan, and the US and the Republic of Korea, the Japanese and Australian foreign and defense ministers held talks via video link on Wednesday.

Just like the recent US interactions with its Asia-Pacific allies, the Japan-Australia engagement was focused heavily on China. Rather than respond positively to Beijing's appeals for a greater sense of community, the two countries were intent on openly ganging up against China. Parroting Washington's China-bashing lines, the two US allies demonstrated a similar determination to pit China against the rest of the world, and work toward its containment.

In a joint media release issued following the Ninth Japan-Australia 2+2 Foreign and Defense Ministerial Consultations, the two sides, citing China's activity in the East and South China seas as a challenge to the international community, accused China of "destabilizing or coercive unilateral actions that could alter the status quo and increase tension".