United States Wants To Form NATO Indo-Pacific, China Tries To Woo Japan And India

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. (Wikimedia Commons/Chancellery of Ecuador)

JAKARTA - China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, is trying to build positive relations with Japan and India, while at the same time calming concerns between the two countries, amid efforts by the United States to strengthen its influence in Asia.

One of Japan's main concerns is China's new Coast Guard Act, which allows Chinese coast guard vessels to fire on foreign vessels and destroy structures built in disputed waters that China claims to be its own.

On Sunday, China's foreign minister said the law was just "ordinary domestic law" and did not target any specific country. Wang said the two countries could offer support to each other in hosting the Olympics. Where Tokyo will host the Summer Olympics this year and Beijing will host the Winter Olympics next year.

"The key to the China-Japan relationship is to have perseverance, and not let short-term events cause disruption," Wang said on the sidelines of the National People's Congress in Beijing, according to the South China Morning Post.

“The enhancement of Sino-Japanese relations will be mutually beneficial for our people and regional stability and peace. This should not be taken for granted and we must respect it," he added.

Meanwhile, related to India, Wang said, his party continued to try to negotiate a way out of the border conflict between the two countries. Wang also called for cooperation with India after nine months of border conflict that killed soldiers on both sides.

“China and India must be friends and partners, not threats and competitors. We have to help each other," he said.

Wang's comments came after United States President Joe Biden signaled Washington would strengthen Indo-Pacific security, renewing its alliance with Asian powers. A move widely seen as against China.

Washington said Biden may hold talks in the coming week with three members of Japan, India, and Australia on plans to jointly form an informal alliance that Wang previously labeled an 'Indo-Pacific Nato'.