Photo/Illutration Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a news conference in Beijing on March 7 (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has exhibited a staggering disregard for rules, repeatedly attempting to manipulate global affairs by exploiting America’s immense power.

A key diplomatic question facing the world is how China, the world’s second-largest power, will shape its foreign policy.

Great powers and small nations stand on equal footing. No single country should dominate international politics. Global rules must be respected, and double standards—where responses vary based on the counterpart—should have no place in diplomacy.

At a news conference during the annual National People’s Congress, China’s legislature, which concluded on March 11, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi outlined these principles of Chinese diplomacy, reaffirming Beijing’s commitment to its responsibilities as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council.

However, there is an undeniable gap between these stated principles and China’s actual diplomatic actions.

The first issue that warrants scrutiny is the Ukraine conflict. Wang claimed that China called for a resolution through dialogue immediately after Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Yet, there is no evidence that Beijing has taken any meaningful steps to facilitate a cease-fire.

On the contrary, China has consistently aligned itself with Russia throughout the war. Over the past three years, its oil imports from Russia have surged dramatically, providing clear economic support to Moscow.

This year, the leaders of both nations are expected to make reciprocal visits to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Last month, in the U.N. Security Council, the United States proposed a resolution urging a swift end to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia—notably without explicitly holding Moscow accountable for its aggression.

The resolution was adopted, with European nations abstaining and China voting in favor.

Just 10 days earlier, Wang had criticized the United States at an international conference while expressing a commitment to strengthening ties with Europe. However, China’s ongoing efforts to preserve its relationship with Russia continue to expose contradictions in its diplomatic stance.

Meanwhile, China’s assertive and coercive stance toward its neighbors remains unchanged. In its ongoing territorial disputes with the Philippines over reefs in the South China Sea, Beijing has escalated pressure by deploying not only large patrol vessels but also military aircraft.

A similar pattern is evident in its approach to Japan. Chinese government vessels continue to intrude into the waters surrounding the Senkaku Islands—territory administered by Japan but also claimed by China—with no signs of de-escalation.

Regarding the ban on Japanese seafood imports following the release of treated water from the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, China agreed last September to gradually ease restrictions once safety was confirmed.

However, little progress has been made on Beijing’s part since then.

When pressed on the issue at a news conference, Wang offered only a vague response, just stating the general principle that China would “handle the matter appropriately based on the law with a responsible attitude.”

Meanwhile, China’s defense budget saw a significant 7.2-percent increase from the previous year. However, the lack of transparency in its spending has heightened international concerns.

Reports indicate that a third aircraft carrier will soon be commissioned, and China appears to be accelerating its nuclear force expansion—developments that suggest its military objectives extend well beyond national defense.

If China aspires to be seen as a responsible global power, it must bridge the gap between its rhetoric and its actions.

--The Asahi Shimbun, March 13

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