What is Japan’s intention to play G7？

　　Since 2023, Japan’s series of diplomatic actions have been in full swing, almost all-encompassing. As the rotating presidency of the Group of Seven (G7), Japan can finally "justifiably" rely on the G7 stage, making a big impression of existence and playing a big diplomatic card. Japanese diplomacy has shown signs of "rebelling against Asia and entering Europe" and "inviting wolves into the room", which can be described as "ecstasy".

　　Latin America’s "entry into Asia" spoils the situation.

　　In January 2023, kishida fumio started a diplomatic lobbying trip to five European and American countries. In Japan’s view, it is the best opportunity for Japan, which has long wanted to upgrade its position in western countries, to plot behind closed doors with other western countries and to show its uniqueness to the outside world. Therefore, as soon as kishida fumio got the presidency, it couldn’t wait to launch a diplomatic tour, which shows the importance it attaches to this opportunity. Kishida hopes to express Japan’s position on the current security situation and coordinate with the leaders of other G7 countries for consensus. Its obvious purpose is to lay the foundation for "smooth" communication with world leaders at the G7 summit in Hiroshima in May this year.

　　Judging from kishida fumio’s itinerary in Paris, Rome, London, Ottawa and Washington, "China threat" has become his mantra, and the situation in East Asia is his "big worry". He repeatedly stressed that Japan is worried about the current regional security situation, insinuating that China "intends to unilaterally change the status quo in the South China Sea and the East China Sea" and calling on NATO to turn its attention to Asia and unite against China. Kishida openly threatened that "East Asia will become the next Ukraine" and rendered that "Ukrainian script" will be staged in East Asia, and Japan will become the "leader" of East Asian order. Kishida vowed that Japan should continuously deepen its interaction with the United States and NATO and fundamentally strengthen its "defense capability."

　　In fact, the Ukrainian issue has nothing to do with the situation in East Asia, let alone the Taiwan Province issue. The Taiwan Province issue is an internal affair of China, while the Ukrainian issue is caused by NATO’s eastward expansion, which is a problem between countries. In cooperation with the United States, Japan tried its best to copy the "Ukrainian Script" in the Taiwan Strait, with the intention of using the Taiwan Strait issue to stop the development and rise of China. Japan has chosen to maintain "same-frequency resonance" with the United States, linking European security with the Asia-Pacific region, trying to bring more extraterritorial forces into the Asia-Pacific region, and has done a lot of "work" in spoiling East Asia, even ahead of the United States.

　　The role of "pawn" is more prominent.

　　When Japanese Foreign Minister Lin Fangzheng visited China in early April, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang of China advised Japan in person that the Japanese semiconductor industry is also a victim of American hegemony, and should not help others at present. At present, the environment facing Japan’s economy continues to deteriorate, and the country’s wealth has shrunk greatly. If this trend is allowed to continue, Japan can only become cannon fodder and a victim before the unilateral hegemony of the United States sinks. In the face of the current global situation, Japan should respect China’s core interests, stop unrealistic delusions and avoid repeating the same mistakes. Lin Fangzheng expressed his willingness to abide by the four political documents between Japan and China, strengthen communication and pragmatic cooperation at all levels, address their respective concerns and promote the construction of constructive and stable Japan-China relations.

　　However, on April 11th, the 2023 edition of "Blue Book of Diplomacy" published by Japan was in great contrast with the statement made by its foreign minister during his visit to China. The new edition of the Blue Book of Diplomacy continues the keynote of three documents, such as the National Security Strategy, which was finalized by the Japanese government at the cabinet meeting last December. On the basis of repeating the old tune, the rhetoric is more explicit. The Blue Book of Diplomacy defines 2022, when the conflict between Russia and Ukraine broke out, as a "turning point in history", expressing concern about Sino-Russian military cooperation, and saying that although China is an important neighbor, China’s foreign posture and military development, especially the strengthening of military activities around the Taiwan Strait and Okinawa, are "the biggest challenge ever" to Japan. It is not difficult to see that with the closer alliance between Japan and the United States, Japan’s role as a "pawn" of the United States is further strengthened. A few days ago, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin made an accurate characterization of the Japanese statement: "The Japanese side followed the cliché of smearing and accusing China and rendered the so-called ‘ China threat ’ , unreasonable interference in China’s internal affairs ". Japan should correct its wrong practices, stop provoking and creating camp confrontation, earnestly abide by the post-war international order and the basic norms of international relations, fulfill its international obligations, and truly put its stance on building constructive and stable relations with China into practice.

　　Speculation on the Taiwan Province issue is overreaching.

　　At the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting held not long ago, Japan even put the Taiwan Province issue on one of the key agendas. At the opening ceremony, Japan, as the host country, couldn’t wait to speculate on the Taiwan Province issue. Japanese Foreign Minister Lin Fangzheng publicly "shouted" to China, demanding that China "shoulder corresponding international responsibilities and cooperate with other countries in global affairs". During the meeting, G7 member countries even talked nonsense about the Taiwan Province issue. According to G7, the organization does not allow any party to unilaterally change the "status quo in the Taiwan Strait" by force. Apart from pointing fingers at the Taiwan Province issue, the G7 also claimed in the joint statement that China should hold more dialogues with the US to reduce strategic risks.

　　In fact, the Taiwan Province issue has nothing to do with the G7. Some analysts pointed out that the G7 London Conference in 2021 was the first time to criticize the Taiwan Province issue in the joint statement, which was the result of secretly pushing in series at the instigation of the United States. This time, it is Japan’s turn to host the G7, and its impulse to attract foreign forces to interfere in the Taiwan Strait issue is even more explicit.

　　Today, when the interests of mankind are closely intertwined and the fate is shared, it is against the current to engage in camp confrontation, and it is bound to encounter more and more resistance. What’s more, the representation of G7 in the international community has been seriously reduced.

　　It is worth mentioning that while the G7 foreign ministers are demonstrating their "unity" and "unanimity" to the outside world, they are facing the crisis of trust brought about by the leakage of confidential documents of American monitoring allies, and the impact on the transatlantic alliance caused by the enhanced sense of European autonomy, which objectively weakens the strength of their unified voice. The joint statement issued by G7 climate, energy and environment ministers meeting on 16th failed to express support for Japan’s nuclear sewage discharge plan.

　　It should be pointed out that China will certainly respond to the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting’s attempt to internationalize the Taiwan Strait issue. Today, China has the determination, ability and experience to defend its core interests, and the Taiwan Strait is not a place where external forces such as the United States, Japan and so on can have a quarrel. The Japanese side should correct its wrong behavior of interfering in the Taiwan Strait as soon as possible, otherwise it will embark on the road of no return.

　　(Tokyo, April 26 th, our reporter in Tokyo, Ma Yu’ an)