China tops agenda as Biden hosts Suga for first White House summit

Globalization spread the pandemic in the world and expansion of China - a totalitarian middle age country.

"Freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law are the universal values that link our alliance."

These are values that we all strive for, and our foreign policies can focus and act upon. Communication and coordination between friends and allies are key. Its good to see these two men working together on such an important venture.

Taiwan is a bit worrying .

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who is currently on a trip to the United States, at a coronavirus task force meeting.

The news here yesterday said Suga was going to the USA on a "coronavirus task force meeting" or some such dribble, but according to the article they didnt even mention it.

It was all about china and how to contain them, which is what we all knew it was about.

A Japanese foreign ministry official said this week it had not been decided whether there would be a joint statement and two Japanese ruling party lawmakers familiar with the discussions said officials have been divided over whether Suga should endorse a strong statement on Taiwan.

Considering Suga & close aides' character, "Taiwan" will be likely included in the joint statement in the end, which leads to ensure the island as a de facto sovereign state. In the meantime, many Japan's pro-Beijing lawmakers will be purged and kicked out by popular vote.

SUGA MEETS HARRIS

Suga thinking: Women in charge around here? My mate Mori wouldn’t like this...

"And among the buried are soldiers who died in combat fighting against Japan. Is Biden going to have to visit Yasukuni or Hiroshima too?"

PM Suga went to Arlington National Cemetery as a symbol of reconciliation and friendship between Japan and the US. Former President Obama went to Hiroshima and former PM Abe went to Pearl Harbor for the same reason. If President Biden wants to go to either Yasukuni or Hiroshima, it would be warmly welcome in Japan, just as PM Suga's visit to Arlington National Cemetery was welcomed by the by the American people.

I noted an earlier comment about pain and suffering. Please remember that we don't forget our pain and suffering. we have all felt it, and It is part of our shared humanity. What we strive for at the same time is healing. And this is what foreign relations should be all about: not about picking at the wounds of past grievances, and not trying for one-upmanship and brinkmanship, but to push past pain / suffering and find commonality and mutual purpose.

Anyone can be mad. And pick up a weapon. That takes little logic or effort. But it takes true strength to work towards common interests and sustainable international relations. History will be our judge.

What a superb photograph! The Blair House, the president's residence for visiting dignitaries, can be seen in the background. That's probably where Suga is staying. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blair_House

China considers Taiwan a wayward province!

Taiwan considers mainland China a bunch of wayward provinces. Taiwan is the real government. Mainland needs to own up to it and bow down to Taiwan.

Suga is so gomasuri

Thomas GoodtimeToday 07:10 am JST

"Freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law are the universal values that link our alliance," Suga said

I think both countries need to polish up on these areas.

Japan-hunan rights? Haha.

If Japans human rights concerns might be judged at a low two of ten and the US at four of ten then China is at ten of ten. You should be criticizing China first, and would be if you were not the faithful puppet of the CCP.

It is hard for lapdogs to do anything but lick the hands of their masters.

"Freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law are the universal values that link our alliance," Suga said

Does it mean Japan plans to change it's housing laws?

In Japan, Kamala Harris would have hard time just to rent an apartment.

Irrelevant to America weakening

No it’s extremely relevant because when America sneezes everyone else catches a cold, a weak America is bad for the entire world and that includes Japan and the leaders definitely don’t want that.

This is irrelevant to the fact that Japan has a litany of its own problems.

It’s relevant because a weak Japan makes an increasingly powerful China and North Korea very, very happy, that is part of Japan’s litany problems. Again, a weak America is bad for the world and Japan included.

P. SmithToday  07:11 am JST

“Freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law are the universal values that link our alliance," Suga said.

All brought to Japan by the US in 1945. You’re welcome.

This is true and I agree,also to the U.S. bashers I can say that in the past they did a lot of good for us western Europeans as well with the Marshal plan.

I hope that with Mr.Biden at the helm of their country we can find that type of U.S. from the old days.

I’m positive about it and I hope that this meeting will improve the security in the pacific area.

Next step will be to contain the Russians with a stronger E.U. U.S. Nato collaboration.

China broke something it promised about Hong Kong with UK, and now the US and Japan break something China unilaterally demanded decades ago about Taiwan.

Whenever Japan in trouble, gov run to America for help

Other way round mate.

Have you ever been to the UN? You have a lot of American bashing countries gathered on American soil to treat America like dirt, but that's acceptable

You are making the same mistake Xi Jinping, Sultan Urdogan and other authoritarian figures make. Instead of taking criticism as an insult, becoming indignant and demanding the critic be punished. Xi puts his critics in Hong Kong in jail, Mr. Putin put Mr. Navalny in jail for having the temerity to criticize his rule. Mr. Urdogan just imprisoned ten former Admirals for pointing out a new canal around Istanbul might cause problems with the Montreaux Convention governing transit of the Bosporus. Called it a "coup". Insecure babies all of them! Can't answer their critics and instead have to punish them.

Maybe we should listen to our critics and ask where it comes from. Not all of it is out of line. The US has not always conducted itself honorably in its foreign affairs and has too often be quick to cast aside its claimed values in the name of expediency against a perceived threat to the US. Likewise the US has often failed miserably with its own people to meet the high standards set by the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. Try putting yourself in the other party's shoes once in a while and ask yourself how you would react to some of the things the US has done over the years. It takes a mature, well adjusted adult to acknowledge mistakes and apologize. That is the kind of maturity we expect of people in our lives, or at least most do. Immature spoiled little children throw a tantrum and lash out when their mistakes are pointed out to them. Do we expect our own leaders to be mature adults or immature crybabies like Xi, Putin and Sultan Urdogan. How about yourself? Which are you?

If President Biden wants to go to either Yasukuni or Hiroshima, it would be warmly welcome in Japan,

His former boss made a brief visit to Hiroshima yet missed Nagasaki, supposed to be the last A-bombed city for humans. Biden's visit would be welcomed and most remarkable if materialized.

Overall it's natural for state leaders to show respect to war dead. The courtesy visit & reciprocal visit to either side of the former war enemy are amazing.

Really promising start to the relationship between the leaders of the democratic world. If this Summit makes the Chinese feel even a tiny bit uneasy, then it is already a huge success.

Amazing, humble and kind gesture by Suga to pay his respects to the US war dead. Thats what great friends do.

There was an earlier comment over the amount of respect shown during the reception that the prime minister received in Washington DC. CSPAN[dot]ORG has free and on demand videos available since the prime minister and his entourage arrived (at least as of this writing). The search engine feature can also bring up previous videos featuring U.S. and Japanese government contacts. I highly recommend this to readers. Listen to the statements, watch the body language, and judge for yourself.

While his country goes from a supposedly pandemic to a raging pandemic he is off on the other side of the World doing what he could have done online...this man is no leader never will be...

Zoom will never replace a face to face meeting where each party can size the other up and see what their character is. This is even more important where the leaders of two important nations must trust the other when committing their nations to a shared course of action. When China pushes back both Mr. Biden and Mr. Suga want to feel comfortable the other won't cave in and undermine them.

 Here's a communist country which has been allowed into the international family to conduct business and make money and improve the lives of many of its citizens, but underneath it still violates basic human rights of many its own people while bullying its neighbors. Shouldn't there be a price tag for this?

There most certainly is, but it will take a bit more time to collect what's due. Xi Jinping is slowly but surely alienating all the nations that used to have a high opinion of China. Worse still he is now turning against the very people who grew China's economy. Consider the fate of the Ant Group which the Chinese government in a fit of pique is forcing to be essentially just another big bank, ending its reign of global credit innovation. On top of that the CCP are trying to force its founder Jack Ma out by leaning on the board of Ant Group to buy out his share of the business and kick him out. Every big business owner in China now know that if they get to big the CCP will take what they have from them. That message is going to make investing in China appear too dangerous. Chinese with an entrepreneurial spirit will seek their fortunes elsewhere rather than risk building a great business empire like Mr. Ma did only to be forced out and their wealth confiscated by a CCP jealously guarding their power. Foreign corporations will see this, and combined with pressure from investors and consumers over Chinese human rights abuses, will look elsewhere to conduct their business. It won't happen over night but Xi has sealed China's economic fate. And the best part is that Xi is too stubborn and controlling to realize what he is doing to China in the long run. Instead of listening to criticism and trying to do better he takes it as a personal challenge to be punished.

And Russia just watching and laughing

Here's my admittedly first impression take on what is happening with China and the rest of the world....

I think that most Chinese want peaceful relations with their neighbors, and do not really care about the status of Taiwan or a few uninhabited islands in the ocean. However, for whatever reason, Xi does. I notice that Xi did not start getting all crazy about these issues until after Trump started insulting him and the Chinese people in public, over and over again. I had hoped that Xi would stop with his saber rattling once Trump was a ghost, but it looks like that was wishful thinking. It takes a long time for the wounds of insults to heal, apparently.

> Sadly, America is weakened by a succession of administrations who are often too busy telling the rest of the world what to do, whilst treating their most marginalised and needy like dirt.

Have you ever been to the UN? You have a lot of American bashing countries gathered on American soil to treat America like dirt, but that's acceptable?

Turning patriotism into fascism, celebrating mammon and vulgarity, whilst turning away from core values like equality, fairness and liberty for all - not just one demographic.

No, we do, that's the reason why the US is still a bastion of hope where people are literally dying trying to get in.

And that's not leaving Japan out of the critique. Much as I love this country, I don't have the time or words in me to lament the problems with it.

America did a lot for Japan, was it not for America, Japan in all honesty wouldn't as great as it is now and that's not looking down on the country, that's just a fact.

>

Now that everyone thinks we are weak, let's rock!

Sadly, America is weakened by a succession of administrations who are often too busy telling the rest of the world what to do, whilst treating their most marginalised and needy like dirt. Turning patriotism into fascism, celebrating mammon and vulgarity, whilst turning away from core values like equality, fairness and liberty for all - not just one demographic.

And that's not leaving Japan out of the critique. Much as I love this country, I don't have the time or words in me to lament the problems with it.

Maybe Suga and 46 can have a chat about domestic issues and how to treat the people right...

Isn't it strange? Here's a communist country which has been allowed into the international family to conduct business and make money and improve the lives of many of its citizens, but underneath it still violates basic human rights of many its own people while bullying its neighbors. Shouldn't there be a price tag for this?

"I refrain from mentioning details, since it pertains to diplomatic exchanges, but there is already an agreed recognition over the importance of peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait between Japan and the United States, which was reaffirmed on this occasion," Suga said.

Suga steps up, in no uncertain terms. Good to see that domestic leadership issues haven't got in the way of a strong alliance. Bring on the quad. Bravo Suga and Biden for drawing a straight line in the sand.

Oh, yes, and defend the freedom to navigate the East China Sea.

Lovely photo, #1 meets with #3 to counter #2, LOL

Welcome to America Mr. Suga. Now that everyone thinks we are weak, let's rock!

Hope they will discuss japan's brilliant plan to radioactivize the oceans of the world

Quite the spectacle with so many multi-masked folk. Presumably they've all been vaccinated as well. But why no plexiglass dividers?!

Did anyone drink from the water glasses on the table?

Did anyone see that yawnfest of the press conference today?

On Friday morning, Suga participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

And among the buried are soldiers who died in combat fighting against Japan. Is Biden going to have to visit Yasukuni or Hiroshima too?

The photo is a wonderful example of virtue signalling for the masses. Biden and his lot double-masking for the cameras, even after they had their jabs. Aren’t they supposed to be protected now.? They probably all came off once behind closed doors.

After Project Veritas leaked the candid admission from a CNN technical director the other day that they manipulate the corona news with blatant disregard for the facts, it’s hard to believe anyone can take seriously what comes from CNN in particular, and the mainstream news in general when it comes to reporting on the coronavirus.

Whenever Japan in trouble, gov run to America for help. It's like a codependent relationship, gov gets kicked in the balls but they keep coming back for more.

I wonder what Japan will be like when all the out of date people die off.