China is strengthening pressure on Australia by restricting its trade with the country.
Doesn't this mean that China denies by itself the stance to criticize protectionist moves by the United States and emphasize the position of a "flag-bearer for free trade"?
Australian products, such as coal, barley, wine and lobster, were added one after another to a list of China's import restrictions. It is reported that more than 80 coal-carrying vessels have been left idling off the coasts of China, and many agricultural and fishery products have been unable to pass through customs clearance on the grounds of inspection reinforcement.
While Japan, the United States, Australia and India are strengthening their cooperation under the banner of the "free and open Indo-Pacific" vision, China apparently aims to weaken the encircling net around itself by trying to cut out the Australian part of the mesh.
China is Australia's largest economic partner, accounting for 30% of Australia's total trade. Because of its heavy economic dependence on China, Australia is easy for China to target and make an example of as a warning to other countries.
China's apparent approach -- using its economic power to threaten countries that China does not get along with and forcing them to surrender -- is totally unacceptable.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson posted on Twitter a photo that appeared to show an Australian soldier trying to kill an Afghan child with a knife. In fact, it turned out to be a fake image that a young Chinese created on a personal computer.
It is true that Australian soldiers are suspected of having unjustifiably killed civilians in Afghanistan, but it is outrageous for China to criticize Australia through such a device as a fake image. The Australian government's demand that the post be deleted is only natural.
The administration of Chinese President Xi Jinping needs to realize that such high-handed behavior is damaging China's image in the international community.
Australia is reviewing its dependence on China, taking such measures as removing China's Huawei Technologies Co. from Australia's development of the 5G next-generation communications standard. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that there is no need to sacrifice his country's own values in order to maintain its relations with China.
On the other hand, there are persistent concerns in the Australian business community that a reduction in its trade with China could hurt Australia. It will be important to make efforts to develop new export destinations to replace China and diversify sales channels.
Countries with close economic ties with China are closely watching how things go for Australia in dealing with issues related to China. It is hoped that Australia will find a way out that can serve as a useful reference for other countries.
On the security front, Australia has greatly increased its defense budget, taking into account China's military buildup, and has begun joint development of new weapons with the United States and security cooperation with India. Morrison also confirmed cooperation with Japan during his recent visit to Japan.
It is important for Japan, Australia and other countries to keep China in check and maintain regional stability by strengthening their shared frameworks.
-- The original Japanese article appeared in The Yomiuri Shimbun on Dec. 8, 2020.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
