A Tool for US Hegemony or Regional Cooperation?

China has criticized the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), a regional grouping comprising the United States, Japan, India, and Australia, as a tool for the US to contain China and perpetuate its hegemony. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian made these remarks at a press briefing on Monday, urging the US to abandon its obsession with supremacy and stop using regional countries as pawns in its strategic games.

Lin argued that the Quad's Indo-Pacific strategy is essentially an attempt to patch up forces to exclude and contain China by peddling the "China threat" narrative. He pointed out that the first topic of the recent Quad Leaders' Summit was about China, highlighting the group's underlying agenda. He further emphasized that cooperation between countries should not target any third party or harm their interests, and that regional initiatives should promote regional peace, stability, and prosperity.

Lin warned that forming exclusive groupings undermines mutual trust and cooperation between regional countries and runs counter to the pursuit of peace, development, cooperation, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific. He urged the US to stop using regional countries as tools and to act on its word that the revitalization of its alliances is not targeted at China.

Regarding the Quad's joint coast guard cooperation at sea, Lin noted that China is open to normal cooperation between relevant countries, but that such cooperation should not target other countries or undermine regional peace and stability.

Lin's remarks reflect China's growing concerns about the Quad and its potential to destabilize the region. China sees the Quad as a US-led effort to contain its rise and maintain its dominance in the Indo-Pacific. It remains to be seen how the Quad will evolve and whether it can contribute to regional cooperation or become a source of tension.