Cooperative Containment

U.S. President Joe Biden and visiting Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced a “new era” in the two countries’ alliance in Washington, D.C., on April 10. A joint statement released by the White House after their two-hour meeting unveiled plans for military cooperation, with provocative rhetoric including narratives that challenge China’s sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea. The meeting and the statement triggered a stern response from China. “Despite China’s serious concerns, the U.S. and Japan attacked and smeared China on the Taiwan question and maritime issues, grossly interfered in China’s domestic affairs and violated the basic norms in international relations. China deplores and opposes it, and has made serious démarches to relevant parties,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press briefing in Beijing on April…