Affirming the "constants" amidst a multitude of "variables" was the focus of the Quad summit on September 21st in Wilmington, Delaware (USA). Commentary by World and Vietnam Newspaper.
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| US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the Quad on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan, on May 20, 2023. (Source: Reuters) |
Since its first edition in 2021, the Quadrilateral Summit (comprising the US, India, Japan, and Australia) has consistently been a topic of much discussion.
Countless variables
The first variable concerns the timing and location of the summit. After two previous summits held in Japan, both in May, this time the summit will take place in September. More specifically, instead of India as previously discussed, the parties agreed to hold it in Wilmington, Delaware, followed by the UN General Assembly meeting in New York.
However, this was not a random choice, as Wilmington is the hometown of President Joe Biden. It is not uncommon for high-ranking leaders to choose their hometown or private residence to host foreign leaders or major international events.
In 2017, former President Donald Trump had several cordial exchanges with the late Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo on the golf course at his family's Mar-a-Lago resort. Six years later, Japan hosted the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, the hometown of current Prime Minister Kishida Fumio. For its part, the White House stated: “(This selection) reflects the deep personal relationships (of President Joe Biden) with each of the Quad leaders and the importance of the Quad to all of us.”
Secondly, this was also the last convention attended by Joe Biden and Kishida Fumio. The incumbent US President has relinquished his candidacy to his running mate, Kamala Harris.
For his part, Prime Minister Kishida will not be running for the position of President of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The future of these two positions and the foreign policy stances of the US and Japan after 2024 remain a big question mark. Even if Harris wins, there is no guarantee she will continue Joe Biden's commitment to the Quad. For Japan, things are even more unpredictable, with many potential candidates within the LDP, each with quite different views on foreign policy.
Finally, this Quad summit is taking place against a backdrop of continued complex and volatile global and regional situations. More than two and a half years after its outbreak, the Russia-Ukraine conflict shows no signs of abating, particularly with the recent clashes in Kursk. The situation in the Gaza Strip is complicated, with the relationship between the US and its close ally Israel showing signs of strain, while the Houthi rebels in Yemen are becoming more audacious in their attacks on ships in the Red Sea.
In the Indo-Pacific, US-China relations continue to follow the trend of "cooperation where possible, competition where appropriate, and confrontation when necessary." The appointment of Lai Ching-te as the leader of Taiwan (China) has not yet de-escalated tensions across the strait. Fierce fighting in Myanmar and government-changing demonstrations in Bangladesh threaten to spread. North Korea continues its frequent missile tests; and tensions in the South China Sea remain high. This reality demands that all four countries continuously adjust their policies and strategies.
President Joe Biden will hold bilateral meetings with the Quad leaders at his home in Wilmington, while the summit and informal dinner will take place at Archmere Academy, a Catholic high school where he once studied. The leaders will also participate in the "Cancer Moonshot" event at the school, an initiative launched by Mr. Biden to find vaccine-based immunotherapy for cancer. |
Constants and progress
Against this backdrop, affirming the constants amidst a myriad of variables will be the focus of the Quad on September 21st. First, the five summits, maintained since 2021 in various formats, along with eight meetings at the Foreign Minister level, reaffirm the strong commitment of the four countries to the region.
Furthermore, the last-minute change of location and the selection of Joe Biden's hometown as the venue for the summit, just months before he leaves office, reflects America's pivotal role in the Quad. This will be maintained as long as the country does not abandon its commitment, as former President Donald Trump did when he withdrew the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Finally, the White House emphasized that the conference would focus on “strengthening strategic common ground among countries, advancing a shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, and delivering tangible benefits to partners in the region in key areas.” In the four previous conferences, Indo-Pacific regional security, climate change and sustainable development, economic security, and technological cooperation were all addressed; this time was no exception.
Accordingly, from a security perspective, the Quad is reportedly promoting coordinated joint patrols in the Indo-Pacific. Simultaneously, the parties will discuss in depth the development of an Open Radio Network (Open RAN), an infrastructure for maritime communication systems that would reduce reliance on certain companies in the event of supply chain disruptions.
In the healthcare sector, the Quad could launch initiatives for joint research and collaboration to treat certain incurable diseases, drawing on experience gained from their cooperation in combating the Covid-19 pandemic. Regarding technology, the Quad will discuss the possibility of implementing a project to support farmers in improving productivity through the application of artificial intelligence.
It cannot be ruled out that the parties will agree to hold the first meeting of the Ministers of Trade and Industry. If this happens, it would be a step towards further institutionalizing the Quad, as the administration of President Joe Biden has hoped.
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/thuong-dinh-bo-tu-hang-so-va-bien-so-286866.html
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