Japan Institute for National Fundamentals

　　　　　U.S. President Barack Obama's lack of spirit and strategy is the largest factor allowing Chinese President Xi Jinping to run rampant. This is my conclusion after seeing their attendance at an annual summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Beijing, an East Asian Summit in the Myanmar capital of Naypyidaw and a Group of 20 summit in Australia's Brisbane.
　　　　　President Obama seemed almost powerless in the face of China's attempt to alter the international order by calling for a "new model of major-country relations." Obama's talks with Xi in Beijing totaling 10 hours will be remembered as symbolizing a sign of U.S. decline.

Xi's remarkable offensive
　　　　　At talks with Obama, Xi persistently stuck to the new model of major-country relations between China and the United States. At his joint press conference with Obama on November 12, Xi began his opening remarks with "the development of a new model of major-country relations" and ended them with a vow to "promote new progress in building a new model of major-country relations." The Chinese leader also proudly asserted that the two countries should respect each other's core interests and that the Pacific Ocean is broad enough to accommodate the development of both China and the United States. Prior to the meeting, China readied economic or financial frameworks to support the strong assertion.
　　　　　In July, China led its BRICS counterparts of Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa in deciding to create a new development bank. China achieved an agreement on establishing the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank in October and announced a plan to launch a $40 billion Silk Road Fund in November. While Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade negotiations joined by Japan and the United States were stagnating, China also advocated the FTAAP (Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific) framework designed to outdo the TPP.
　　　　　What did Obama ready and assert? Lacking enthusiasm or measures to proceed with the TPP initiative, Obama said, "The United States welcomes the continuing rise of a China that is peaceful, prosperous and stable and that plays a responsible role in the world." Reiterating that the U.S. economy has grown thanks to Chinese growth, Obama said "a strong, cooperative relationship with China is at the heart of our pivot to Asia." He also said his China visit "has taken our bilateral, regional and global cooperation to a new level." Obama might have effectively been overwhelmed by Xi's initiative for the new model of major-country relations.

Japan should promote “diplomacy that takes a panoramic perspective of the world map”
　　　　　Obama's lack of enthusiasm has immediately exerted a remarkable negative impact on Southeast Asian countries. The East Asia Summit statement issued in Naypyidaw had no guts, indicating Southeast Asian countries were silent on China's arrogance in contrast to their expression of "serious concern" over their territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea at a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations a half year ago.
　　　　　On the contrary to Obama's expectations, China's act of barbarism has escalated even further, instead of setting back. In October, China completed a military runway on Woody Island of the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. In June, a runway was identified on the Mabini Reef of the Spratly Islands after reclamation.
　　　　　Chinese fishing boats' expansion into Japan's Ogasawara Island waters should be interpreted not only as aiming to collect coral but also as reflecting the strategic importance China puts on the so-called second island chain extending southward from the island group.
　　　　　Obama, who lacks any strategy or tactic and spiritually bows to China, has elevated China to the great power position. In the face of world power balance changes, Japan should recognize the present fragility of its dependence on the United States. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe should propel his “diplomacy that takes a panoramic perspective of the world map,” enhance Japan's fundamentals and develop its spirit and power.

Yoshiko Sakurai is President, Japan Institute for National Fundamentals.