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2023 April 19 - 25 TOP3 [POLITICS]

Shii: To exclude or to include China? G7 will be tested

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo at a press conference held in the Diet building on April 19 said, "G7 leaders will be tested as to whether they will opt for the exclusion or the inclusion of China."

Shii made this remark when asked by the press corps about a joint communique issued on the previous day at the G7 foreign ministerial meeting held in Nagano Prefecture.

Shii pointed out that the joint communique specifies both the "Plan for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)" and the "ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)". He said, "The tone of their statement sounds like they are placing more emphasis on FOIP. The idea behind FOIP is the intent to exclude and encircle China, possibly leading to creating a conflict between one regional bloc and another and a vicious cycle of military responses."

Regarding AOIP, Shii said, "This framework doesn't exclude any country. It includes both China and the United States as well as Japan and is oriented to inclusive peacebuilding efforts in East Asia. I think this would be the most reasonable direction to take."

He added, "G7 leaders will need to decide whether they go in the direction of FOIP, the principle of exclusion, or in the direction of AOIP, the principle of inclusion."

"Under the former, U.S. allies will be drawn into the U.S.-China power game, contributing to dividing the world into opposing blocs. Again, I believe that to establish a framework of peace which includes all nations in East Asia and to develop this framework will be the most reasonable direction to take."

Past related article:
> Kishida gov’t should not use aid to developing countries as tool to exclude China [Aprile 9, 2023]