In Geopolitics Today - Thursday, August 5th
China Hints at Policy Change on Russo-Japanese Territorial Disputes and Turkey Has Concerns Over US Plan to Relocate Afghan Refugees
China Hints at Policy Change on Russo-Japanese Territorial Disputes
During a recent news conference, China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made a subtle remark which seemed to suggest that China may be open to supporting Russia in the long-standing territorial dispute with Japan over four small islands which lie between the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Japanese Archipelago.
When a journalist working for the Global Times asked Zhao to weigh in on the Russo-Japanese territorial dispute following Japense protests against the visit of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Zhao echoed China's traditional position on the territorial row: "this is a bilateral issue between Russia and Japan and should be properly handled by the two sides." But he went on to point out that "it is China's consistent belief that the outcomes of the victorious anti-fascist war should be earnestly respected and upheld," referring to the outcome of the Second World War. By specifying that "the results" of the War be respected, China implies it accepts the Russian position.
Nikkei senior staff writer, Katsuji Nakazawa, considers the Chinese move to indirectly support Russian claims against Japan to be a response to the deepening of cooperation between Japan and the U.S., over Taiwan. An annual defence white paper published in Japan linked stability in the Taiwan Strait with its own national security. The 2021 Japanese defence white paper said that "the situation surrounding Taiwan is important for Japan's security and the stability of the international community." Nakazawa considers Beijing's pro-Russia shift over the disputed islands as a warning to Tokyo.
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Turkey Has Concerns Over US Plan to Relocate Afghan Refugees
Washington has unveiled a relocation plan for thousands of Afghans who fear reprisals at home for their affiliation with US organisations. The plan would see refugees make the journey themselves and seek asylum in countries such as Turkey, where the plan has raised fears the move could fuel a migration crisis.
Some Ankara officials condemned the US program, saying it will overburden the nation with migrants, which already hosts more than 4 million refugees (mostly from Syria).
Tanju Bilgicm, the spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry of Turkey, criticised the plan as “irresponsible,” and claimed that Ankara had not been consulted prior to the announcement. Bilgic went on to say that “Turkey does not have the capacity to bear another refugee crisis for another country.” The communications director for the Turkish presidency, Fahrettin Altun, also expressed his displeasure at the US plan, stating that “Turkey does not, and will not, serve as any country’s waiting room.”
The point of disagreement comes at a time when Washington and Ankara are reportedly discussion a future Turkish role in Afghanistan in following the US withdrawal. There is speculation that the role would involve Turkish forces in operating a military presence in Kabul’s international airport following the withdrawal of US-led forces.
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