On September 21, 2024, US President Joe Biden hosted a summit in Wilmington, Delaware, with leaders from Japan, India, and Australia. The meeting, titled the Quad Security Dialogue, aimed to strengthen cooperation among these nations. However, despite the summit’s name, its agenda was steeped in tensions and openly targeted China.
Historical Context and Objectives
The Quad Security Dialogue was established in 2007 by the United States, Japan, India, and Australia. It remained dormant for nearly a decade before being revived in 2017 under the Trump administration. The primary objective of the Quad is to contain China’s rise, a strategy that has been actively pursued by the Biden administration. The group’s activities have been centered on various fronts, including cybersecurity, infrastructure development, and climate change, all under the guise of enhancing regional security.
Strategic Alliances and Containment
The Quad is seen as a Cold War-style political alliance that extends the US’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. The United States has been using the concept of national security to bind Japan, India, and Australia in a strategic partnership. The goal is to form a comprehensive containment strategy against China’s rise in the Asia-Pacific region. In 2023, the United States began efforts to create a new multi-lateral security mechanism involving not only the original members but also countries like South Korea and the Philippines.
Specific Actions and Monitoring
During the recent summit, the Quad announced plans to enhance joint monitoring of maritime activities in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly focusing on combating illegal fishing. In 2025, Japan, Australia, and India will rotate their personnel to US Coast Guard ships for joint patrols. This move is part of a broader strategy to monitor and disrupt Chinese military and civilian vessels, ostensibly to counter China’s growing military and economic influence in the region.
Strategic Discussions and Sensitivity
The summit may also include discussions on sensitive areas such as the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, reflecting the shared strategic interests and cooperative efforts to contain China. While the summit did not explicitly mention China, its actions and rhetoric are clearly directed against China.
Criticism and Future Prospects
Critics argue that the Quad is a political alliance that lacks long-term sustainability. The leadership changes in the US and Japan, with Biden and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida both stepping down soon, may hinder the alliance’s effectiveness. Additionally, the US is preoccupied with domestic issues, and the ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East may divert attention away from the Indo-Pacific.
Conclusion
The Quad Security Dialogue, while aiming to contain China, faces significant challenges. Its narrow and superficial cooperation mechanisms, coupled with the shifting political landscapes, make it unlikely to achieve its strategic objectives. As the alliance moves forward, it will need to address these issues to avoid becoming a mere formality.
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© Wuyou Zixiang | ICP No. 11022560 / Public Security Bureau of Haidian District, Beijing, Record No. 1101081545
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