US-China rivalry could force unwelcome choices on some countries
- Observers say Beijing is not trying to create its own camp but aiming to discourage others from aligning with Washington
- Smaller nations will need to carefully manage escalating competition between the two powers
Diplomatic observers said that while China may not be forming its own diplomatic camp, it was trying to discourage nations from aligning with the US – and these countries needed to carefully manage the situation.
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China, Russia foreign ministers meet as countries stand ‘back to back’ amid rise in US tensions
This week, Wang is hosting his counterparts from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and South Korea in a succession of one-on-one meetings in the southeastern province of Fujian, when the South China Sea – subject to competing disputed claims and a potential flashpoint for US-China relations – is likely to be raised.
Huang Jing, a professor at Beijing Language and Culture University, said the Alaska talks had reinforced that Sino-US rivalry would remain the norm in Southeast Asia. The US needed strategic bases for its operations in the region, while China’s aim was to prevent its neighbours from providing that support, he said.
“The purpose of strengthening ties with surrounding countries was not to pull them to China’s camp, but to prevent them from joining the US camp,” Huang said. “It is unrealistic to ask China’s neighbouring states to choose China over the US, as China has neither the ability nor the willingness to provide security protection for them,” he added.