Scholz says Germany seeks closer ties with Indo-Pacific

Why is Kishida not wearing a mask but expects kids to wear them to school????

What is needed is another NATO like alliance to keep the Indo Pacific from falling victim to war mongers and aggressors.

A long time ago there was a similar organization called SEATO for South East Asian Treaty Organization. Only two Asian nations actually belonged to SEATO, Thailand and Philippines. The rest, Australia, New Zealand, France, UK, Pakistan ( ! ) either had colonies in the region (Australia had PNG, UK had Hong Kong, North Borneo and Sarawak, etc.) or in the case of the US had a geostrategic interest in the region. Former French Indochina colonies, North and South Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos were prohibited from belonging to an alliance by the terms of the Geneva Agreements that freed them from French rule. SEATO fell apart due to disputes among its members and was dissolved in 1977.

Stop funding Russia by buying it's oil and gas then, ahh yes, I forgot. Just words.....

 they share a responsibility to work together to end Russian aggression and restore peace

peter14:

The only war in Ukraine is Russia's war of invasion.

Same old excuse. Austin, US defense secretary (the guy with BIG links to Raytheon) has also said (or should I say let the cat out of the bag) that their purpose is to weaken Russia. That's why there's been a war there since 2014.

Good to see there are some nations in SE Asia that have morality.

Nation or nations? Singapore is petrified of USA. It's scared of being sanctioned so it's going along with this western charade. The vast majority of the world are NOT with USA. They have a backbone.

Autocrats and despots must always be opposed, they are evil.

A bit harsh toward ScoMo. I'd say he's more of an idiot.

What is needed is another NATO like alliance for Indo Pacific

How is SE Asia related to the US proxy war

LOL can't you see ?

When the war breaks out with China you think Germany / Japan / NATO will send their troops ??

These people are scouring Southeast Asia for cheap cannon fodder. Just like they're using Ukrainians really.

Hongkong and Macau are also China by the way.

Taiwan is an independent self governing province of China.

This news site likes to continually refer to Taiwan as a nation.

However Taiwan is not officially recognized as being its own independent nation or country.

So China will not be invading its own country.

how is SE Asia related to the US proxy war in Ukraine?

The only war in Ukraine is Russia's war of invasion.

Any nation with a shred or morality condemns Russia's murderous brutality.

Good to see there are some nations in SE Asia that have morality.

The US is one of many nations supporting Ukraine's sovereignty, including nations in SE Asia.

What is needed is another NATO like alliance to keep the Indo Pacific from falling victim to war mongers and aggressors.

Agree. An alliance of free nations that supports peace, freedom and democracy would be a welcome instrument in the Indo-Pacific. Autocrats and despots must always be opposed, they are evil.

But Japan isn't pulling out its companies from China, thus making all the talk meaningless

Now everything is apparently tied to Russia/Ukraine.......

Germany is so in bed with China it is ridiculous.

They can always build on the last alliance with Japan that ended in 1945.......

So...China does NOT have a colonial past or present?

Easy question. No.

The last war China was involved in internationally was over 40 years ago, with Vietnam. They are extremely non-interventionist. I would argue they are too non-interventionist honestly.

Since the unification of China under the CPC the only other international conflicts that they were in were the border war with India, the Korean war, and the annexation of Tibet (which is a whole argument if that even counts as international). Not exactly a colonial force compared to others.

Unless Germany and the EU are threatening Chinese sovereignty, there really isn't much to fear from them.

@Pukey2

My sentiment, exactly. So, any foreign policy regarding the world, which the US and its allies are involved in/touch, credibility has big question marks.

China and the islands make a pact and all of a sudden the colonial powers get their knickers in a twist. Meanwhile China has to put up with American military in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, SE Asia and Pakistan? 

So...China does NOT have a colonial past or present? So, what do you call Mongolia, Tibet and Hong Kong? Just part of the 'larger Sinosphere'? And all 3 just magically wanted to 'join' in the CCP fun?

The selective, self-serving moral outrage (almost always coming from a Western European or someone from the non-US Anglosphere) and the blame America first attitude makes me nauseous.

The U.S. is the world's police and everyone loves to hate the police until they need the police.

@Pukey2

I absolutely expect that style of coup if things don't pan out the way American wants there. I am not sure what the German interest would be, outside of placating the US. I don't think they would benefit extensively from involvement there.

You are absolutely right about the hypocrisy of the situation though. Especially in the face of what has happened in Ukraine.

Scholz said he also wanted to come to Japan because Tokyo will take over as chair of the G-7 after Germany.

Is really weird phrasing to me. Is Tokyo a country now?

Germany has become concerned about the Solomon Islands (because they once colonized part of it)? UK concerned (because they also colonized part of it)? US concerned because they're the bastion of human rights and democracy? Australia concerned because they used to boss the Solomon Islands around? Can someone tell these colonial powers that the Solomon Islands are a sovereign and independent country? Or are we going to expect another American-backed coup like in Pakistan, or like how America stirred up trouble and convinced those other islanders to take a boat to burn down Solomon Island's Chinatown?

China and the islands make a pact and all of a sudden the colonial powers get their knickers in a twist. Meanwhile China has to put up with American military in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, SE Asia and Pakistan? Can you imagine a Chinese destroyer off the coast of Florida? No, but I can well imagine a US destroyer going between the narrow strait that separates Fujian and Taiwan. Oh wait, that just happened. The hypocrisy makes me sick.

@ Monty

Kishida, as well, is particularly averse to masking up too,

Merkel was a good chancellor,I like the picture of Merkel standing up to Trump Google Famous Merkel Trump Photo

Japan hopes to work closely with Germany as strategic partners on "various challenges that the international community faces, including responses to China," Kishida said.

China was actually the main topic while the Ukraine war appeared on the surface.

Former Chancellor Merkel never failed to stop by China whenever making a tour to Asian countries including Japan. Unlike his predecessor, Schulz skipped it. That's an indication.

I thought Germany is already up to the neck in the indo pacific,

Not really, they made an organizational mistake. In the meeting with Japan an important member is missing.

Mr. Draghi's participation would have given the meeting the final touch. One in charge for Asia, another for Europe and finally one for Africa and the Middle East. Nobody could beat them, that's proven by history.

Damned,...Scholz...where is your mask?

This is not Germany.

I thought Germany is already up to the neck in the indo pacific, just on the wrong side of freedom though, with China!

When VW sell 45% of its cars in China, you know Japan and every one else is going to come off second best, push comes to shove and China starts riding Germany.

Just look at how Russia is riding Germany currently. Good to shake hands but I hope Kishida entourage washes them afterwards, there's Ukrainian blood there.

how is SE Asia related to the US proxy war in Ukraine?

What is needed is another NATO like alliance to keep the Indo Pacific from falling victim to war mongers and aggressors.

NATO has proven to be a success, similar alliance could ne the best answer to the security concerns of the Indo Pacific.