IN FOCUS
By Dincy Adlakha

US and China’s threatening arms race in Asia: analysis of a Foreign Affairs commentary
  
On 22 October, Van Jackson, a subject matter expert of Indo-Pacific, wrote an article in the Foreign Affairs. His commentary argued that US military and nuclear actions are turning Asia into a hotspot of militarization. His view was contested by Thomas Shugart who is a security and defense expert in America. Shugart argued that it is Beijing’s manipulation and belligerence that is leading to militarized Asia. 
 
Military-first character of the US
Van Jackson argues in his commentary that the US is a military hegemon in Asia. He suggests that the “precarious situation in Asia” owes a lot to the US. He states that 89000 US troops are stationed in the Indi-Pacific, excluding the forces that enter the region annually for multiple large-scale exercises that the US undertakes in the region. Apart from the personnel, a large number of hardware and bases are also functional in Asia under the US monitor. In the past several years, as early as the leadership of former President Barack Obama, the US has been drawing up extensive nuclear program plans and many modern weapons have come into the picture. The budget for nuclear plans expanded during the tenure of former President Donald Trump. The US has also been expanding the lethality of its new long-range nuclear-capable missile launchers while reducing the costs. Many decisions from the past few years signal an increased focus on security by the US. He considers the US approach to Asia as over militarized and finds not just the US but also China to blame. In an attempt to counter the assertiveness of China, the US is also observed growing its defense capabilities.
 
China’s surging military pursuits
In response to Jackson’s commentary, Shugart details how the US approach is merely a reaction to the trends set by China in the region. He argues against some facts and terms utilized by Jackson and points that the US approach is not an indicator of provocation or threat. Rather, he poses the danger of an aggressive and techno-authoritarian Chinese regime and its military intentions in the region. He states that China has built hundreds of long-range, precise ballistic missile systems and boasts the world’s largest navy in terms of ships. It has adopted an aggressive approach with its neighbors in South East Asia and even threatens Taiwan. The nuclear arsenal of China has expanded over time, and even more in recent years. He attributes China’s military actions to its malicious motives of overwhelming US missile defenses, escaping US nuclear coercion and maintaining leverage in an event of conventional conflict. He argues that China is an economic giant and will someday want the military balance of power to bend in its favor as well. 
 
The Asian plight
In this debate of US and China tensions, the only losing side is that of the Asian playground. Although many countries in Asia have adopted various strategies to encounter such highly intense situations, like Japan, India and ASEAN, it still does not look good for the region. Asia is troubled with identity politics, environmental issues, democratization and economic issues. In addition to the pandemic blues, the region could appreciate space to restore and develop itself. However, the US-China bipolarity only means more politics and more expenditure for the countries. In this sense, even though the US-China tensions impact the entire globalized world, no other region is as affected as the direct playground of Asia. 
 
References:
Thomas Shugart and Van Jackson, “Who’s to Blame for Asia’s Arms Race?,” Foreign Affairs, 1 December 2021
 
IN BRIEF
By Avishka Ashok and Keerthana Nambiar
 
INTERNAL
President Xi emphasizes understanding CPC to understand China
On 2 December, the Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the 2021 Understanding China Conference in Guangzhou and explained the importance of understanding the Communist Party of China to understand China. He highlighted the importance of exchanging views and interacting clearly to share the wisdom and strengths of the Party. He said: “The world is experiencing changes unseen in a century which, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, have brought the world into a period of fluidity and transformation. As I have pointed out, 'To understand China today, one must learn to understand the CPC.” (“Xi Focus: Understanding China requires understanding of CPC, says Xi,” Xinhua Net, 2 December 2021)

Belt and Road initiative council holds meeting to discuss performance
On 2 December, the Belt and Road Studies Network held a council meeting both online and offline. The meeting was to discuss reviewing the work since the last meeting and discuss the work for the next stage. He Ping, the newly-elected chairperson of the council said, “Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at a recently-concluded symposium on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) showed China's determination and confidence in carrying forward high-standard opening-up,” reported Xinhua. The meeting was attended by thirteen representatives of Chinese and foreign thinktanks sharing their study on BRI. (“Belt and Road Studies Network holds Initiators Council meeting,” Xinhua Net, 3 December 2021)

REGIONAL
Foreign Minister promotes bilateral relations with Vietnam 
On 2 December, the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with the Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and called on the two countries to promote bilateral cooperation. He encouraged the countries to work on sustainable, healthy and stable development of the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation. The two ministers exchanged views on bilateral relations and cooperation in fields of mutual interest. He said: “this year is very important for the development of bilateral relations, and the two sides should follow the consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries and work together to promote the sustained, healthy and stable development of the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation.” (“Chinese FM pledges to promote ties with Vietnam,” Xinhua Net, 3 December 2021)

China and South Korea held talks to enhance bilateral relations
On 2 December, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Korea pledged to enhance their bilateral relations. Both the countries agreed to strengthen their high-level exchanges and deepen cooperation in economy and trade, culture, and anti-epidemic efforts. Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist of China Central Committee held talks with South Korean National Security Advisor Suh Hoon looking forward to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Yang said, “China and ROK should work together to ensure the stability of the global supply chains and industrial chains, strengthen communication and coordination on regional cooperation, multilateral frameworks and global issues, and jointly promote the construction of a more just and reasonable global governance system.” (“China, ROK pledge to enhance bilateral ties,” Xinhua Net, 3 December 2021)

INTERNATIONAL
China and the UK hold video conference dialogue on political parties 
On 2 December, China and Britain held an online video conference to discuss the dialogue between their political parties. The Chinese delegation was headed by the Head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Song Tao. He emphasized the importance of maintaining exchanges and dialogues between the political parties of China and the UK. He also explained the proceedings of the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee and suggested stepping up strategic communication with the UK. He said: “the CPC will enhance exchanges with political parties around the world including the Conservative Party and the Labor Party of Britain to better safeguard the common interests of all countries.” (“Chinese, British political parties hold dialogue to push forward ties,” Xinhua Net, 3 December 2021)

Chinese embassy expressed discontent against motion passed by the Irish Senate
On 2 December, the Chinese embassy in Ireland issues a statement in response to the motion passed by the Irish Senate on supporting Taiwan in international organizations. The statement issued by the embassy expressed strong dissatisfaction and firmly opposed the motion passed by the Senate. The statement called out the motion for blatantly violating the one-China principle and interfering with China’s internal affairs. The statement said: “We urge those Irish politicians to respect China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity, respect the Chinese people's aspiration to realize national reunification as much as they respect the Irish people's aspiration to realize national reunification, and abide by the one-China principle, so as to preserve the healthy development of China-Ireland relations.” (“Chinese embassy in Ireland expresses opposition to China-related motion passed by Irish Senate,” Xinhua Net, 3 December 2021)

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister slams the US’ democracy summit and claims China “a well-deserved democratic country”
On 2 December, the Chinese Foreign Minister Le Yucheng made remarks of the democracy summit by the US calling it an act of “anti-democracy in the name of democracy.” Le said, “From China's experience, we can see that democracy is not something that comes from the outside and is not for others to teach. In other words, democracy must be deeply rooted from its own country's soils and make its own people happy and satisfied.” Le stressed that despite the notions of the Western countries “China is a well-deserved democratic country.” The minister claims that China has managed to have “conquered a series of miracles in maintaining long-term stability and eradicated poverty, and you have won the support of the majority of Chinese people.” (“Is China a democratic country? Chinese Vice FM tells the Chinese story,” Global Times, 3 December 2021)
 
Chinese Foreign Ministry urges US and EU to abandon Cold War mentality
On 2 December, the Chinese Foreign Ministry made a statement urging the US and EU to abandon the Cold War mentality reported Global Times. The statement comes in after US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and Secretary-General of European External Action Service Stefani Sannino announced to host a second US-EU dialogue focusing on China. (“China urges EU, US to abandon Cold War mentality ahead of upcoming dialogue,” Global Times, 3 December 2021)