An Asia-Pacific mutual defense treaty

The Asia Pacific region faces a growing threat from China. Presently, Asian nations have used mutual defense treaties as a defensive measure against this Chinese expansionist ambition. However, Beijing’s geopolitical aspirations remain unchanged.

- ELFREN S. CRUZ

China seeks to invade and conquer Taiwan, control the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, and weaken US alliances and any possible resistance from Japan. If it succeeds, the result would be an Asia dominated by China with neighboring countries subordinate to Beijing's ambitions.

In 2023, CIA director William Burns reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping instructed his military “to be ready by 2027 to invade Taiwan.” However, Burns went on to say that many Chinese leaders have doubts whether they can accomplish this invasion.’ There is no doubt that Beijing will not launch any attack that will ultimately come at an unacceptable cost. There is no doubt that mutual defense treaties with the United States are not sufficient. This is because the gap between American power and Chinese power is increasingly diminishing. Aside from the need for a new strategic alliance focused on confronting the increasing threat from China, there is also an increasing demand for reciprocity that gives the American partners a larger role in keeping the peace in this part of the world.

Last year, before taking office, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba warned: “The absence of a collective self-defense system like NATO in Asia means that wars are likely to break out.