One wonders what possessed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to call last week for the creation of an 'arc of freedom and prosperity' involving his country, the United States, India and Australia. It appears a needlessly provocative act, given that it is clearly aimed at containing China. And it certainly doesn't help a nation like Australia, which carefully balances its relationships in Asia.
No doubt Mr Abe's brand-new idea will get some airplay, even if informally, at next week's Apec meeting in Sydney, which President Hu Jintao will attend along with US President George W. Bush. So it's an ideal chance for the host of that meeting, Australian Prime Minister John Howard, to use his influence to persuade Mr Abe to drop the concept.
It appears that an opportunity will arise for Mr Howard to do exactly that. Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said in an interview on Monday that Australia, Japan and the US are considering holding a separate meeting when the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum gathers on September 8 and 9.
He was asked: 'What signal does it send to China if this meeting of three of the leaders goes ahead, particularly considering China's suspicion of an American policy of containment to which Australia could be seen to be a part?'
His reply was enlightening: 'Well, the Chinese know we're not part of it, and we don't support containment.'
Mr Downer said 'a policy of containment is wrong' and 'a policy of engagement is right', in his view.