US Strategic Goal in Asia? Disrupt China's Peaceful Development - Media

The United States and Japan have recently revised the guidelines forming the basis of defense alliance between the two countries, which could "deal a severe blow" to the balance of power in the Asia Pacific region, according to the Global Post.

The US reiterated its commitment to enhance Japan's security and deter any threat its key ally in Asia could face. Washington pledged to protect Japan's territory, including the disputed Diaoyu/Senkaku islands, currently controlled by China.

"The Diaoyu islands belong to China," the newspaper asserted, adding that the fate of the contested territory is a private matter between Beijing and Tokyo and no increase in US-Japan defense cooperation can change that. But China might think that the US pushes Japan to adopt a more assertive stance on the islands, the newspaper noted.

The US-Japan defense cooperation is primarily aimed at countering China's peaceful rise but will ultimately fail to achieve this goal, the Global Post said. Moreover, the United States wishes to send the region into turmoil, cause tensions in Northeast Asia, provoke confrontation between Beijing and Tokyo, the media outlet noted.

"Washington's priority is to remain a hegemon. It is not that concerned with what happens in Asia," the Global Times said.

Washington decided to strengthen its alliance with Tokyo to hide the fact that the US is losing its competitiveness. "In the era of economic globalization, the US continues to fool itself and others," the Global Post opined.

The United States is unable to hinder China's growing influence in the region and globally, according to the media outlet. Washington shouldunderstands this, considering its allies in Europe and Asia "deserted to the enemy" and joined the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), created on Beijing's initiative, the newspaper noted.

For its part, China wants the region to live in peace and stability, the Global Times emphasized, adding that this corresponds with Beijing's strategic interests of rapid development. Tokyo also wants the region to be stable but "remains undecided on what it needs more – stability or lack thereof," the newspaper said.

"However, one of strategic goals both Japan and the US pursue is to disrupt China's peaceful development," according to the Global Times.