U.S. House Draft Resolution Blasts China’s Coercion against Japan

Washington, Dec. 22 (Jiji Press)–Bipartisan members of the U.S. House of Representatives have introduced a draft resolution condemning China’s “coercive actions against Japan” that followed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on a potential Taiwan contingency. While urging China to “cease its coercive actions,” including a call on its people not to travel to Japan, the suspension of imports of Japanese fishery products and “dangerous military provocations,” the draft urged U.S. President Donald Trump to “work with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region to counter (China’s) coercive economic and diplomatic practices.” It also showed support for the Japanese government’s right to “express views on matters of regional and international concern without fear of economic or military coercion.” The draft resolution was submitted by House members including Republican Young Kim, who heads the Foreign Affairs Committee’s East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, and subcommittee member Ami Bera, a Democrat. Bera and fellow Democrat Gregory Meeks have sent to Trump a letter seeking stronger support for Japan. Bipartisan U.S. senators have submitted a similar resolution condemning China. If passed, the resolutions will highlight a gap between the U.S. Congress and the Trump administration, which apparently attaches importance to enhancing cooperative ties with China. At a press conference Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “I believe that we feel very strongly that we can continue with our strong, firm partnership and alliance with Japan and do so in a way that continues to allow us to find productive ways to work together with…the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese government.” Sino-Japanese relations have been strained due partly to Takaichi’s parliamentary remarks last month that China’s use of force against Taiwan could constitute a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan, in which the country can exercise its right to collective self-defense. Trump, who is expected to visit China in April next year, has remained mum on the Japan-China tensions, leading to speculation that his administration is prioritizing trade talks with China over ties with Japan. A diplomatic source said that although it is not unusual for the government to engage in negotiations and for the legislative body to insist on general principles, the Congress may have concerns about the Trump administration’s stance on Beijing. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]