Shangri-La puzzle

It is obvious that China and the US are not on the same page. They differ tooth and nail when it comes to the evolving security paradigm, especially in the South China Sea. Likewise, they are poles apart in fomenting a common denominator in terms of trade too. Thus, the ongoing war of nerves in the realms of commerce and technology is pitching them at loggerheads at the altar of the developing world’s progress and prosperity. Similar fissures are evident at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore where, reports say, Beijing and Washington are not entertaining each other’s defence reps, simply graduating the rivalry to new heights.

The tensions between the world powers have set a bad taste well before the commencement of Asia’s top security meeting. It is official that Beijing has snubbed Washington as China’s new Defence Minister Li Shangfu declined to meet US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin. China has blamed the US for torpedoing diplomatic gestures by taking the region for a ride as it cobbles military alliances with Asia’s who’s who. The referral is at AUKUS, which tightens ties between the US, Britain and Australia, as well as QUAD that groups the US, Japan, India and Australia. Beijing rightly says that the intention is gun-diplomacy to encircle and isolate it, and that is evident from the meddling of extra-territorial forces in Asia such as the UK and the US. Moreover, there is a plethora of differences when it comes to Russia’s aggression over Ukraine, disputes with Taiwan and North Korea’s weapons programme.

The Singapore moot is also a non-starter as Russia is not participating in it, and bilateral differences have for the first time overshadowed multilateralism. This also hints at a Cold War-II in the making, and that too at a time when economic proactivity is subdued and the world faces supply chain crisis. The reigning superpower and the economic giant must reconcile to direct a new world order based on stronger multilateralism. This is how they can counter the crisis of confidence not only among themselves but also with their allies.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 2^nd, 2023.

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