Recent Trends Regarding each actor's “Indo-Pacific Policy“ and FOIP

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Teruaki Aizawa, Associate Professor,School of Defense Sciences, National Defense Academy

Contents

1. Introduction

It has been more than three years since Japan promoted the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)" concept and it became well known. Although this idea, or the regional concept and policy theory related to the Indo-Pacific, to which it is closely related, is still in the process of various discussions, it seems that it is generally taking root as a common concept, both in Japan and abroad. Amidst this, and with the announcement of the resignation of former Prime Minister Abe in August 2020, FOIP has once again been attracting attention as a diplomatic legacy of the Abe administration.[1] In particular, starting with the October 6 Japan-Australia-India-U.S. Foreign Ministers' Meeting that was held in Tokyo, Prime Minister Suga's mention of FOIP (October 21) at a press conference after his first overseas visit to Vietnam and Indonesia, and the inclusion of the phrase "ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)" in the Chairman's Statement of the 15th East Asia Summit (EAS) held on November 14, it has been very interesting to report on the exchanges between the relevant countries as regards the phrase "Indo-Pacific," including the reactions from China.[2] Incidentally, in regards to this matter, it was reported that Prime Minister Suga said to reporters after the ASEAN+3 (Japan-China-Korea) summit meeting prior to EAS that "We want to build a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific together," but what was reported and temporarily attracted attention was the question of "Will the name FOIP be changed?" but this point was clearly denied by Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato at a press conference on the 15th.[3]
In this way, the "Indo-Pacific policy"[4] formulated by the countries concerned is not limited to the relationship between Japan's and the US's FOIP and ASEAN's AOIP; portions of each proper name are mutually related to each other, and, in particular, there were documents recently published by Germany and the Netherlands, in September and November, respectively, that bear the name of "Indo-Pacific" in their titles, and so, as the movement to commit to this concept is spreading, this paper discusses the "Indo-Pacific policies" of these related countries.
In April 2018, the author wrote a treatise entitled "The Philosophy and Practice of the 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy (FOIP)' Decoded from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website," (hereinafter referred to as the "Philosophy and Practice of FOIP"), and in June 2019 wrote a sequel, entitled "Sonogo no 'Jiyuu de hirakareta Indo Taiheiyou'(FOIP) no hensen to tenkai[Subsequent Transition and development of the 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy (FOIP)']" (in Japanease), (hereinafter referred to as the "Transition and development of FOIP"), and, as the next topic, a comparative analysis of the "Indo-Pacific policy" documents issued by relevant countries was being prepared. However, it was necessary to follow a series of movements after the resignation of former Prime Minister Abe, as it was not possible to predict the timing of his announcement. Two months have passed since the Suga administration began (this article's original was written in Dec 2020), and now that the United States presidential election has been settled with Biden's victory. Furthermore using the reference to the "ASEAN Outlook (AOIP)" in the aforementioned EAS Chairman's Statement as one perspective, this paper will comprehensively discuss about the relationship between the "Indo-Pacific policies" of various relevant countries (particularly those of the United States and ASEAN) and the FOIP promoted by Japan."
In fact, recently some research from such a viewpoint has been found, with for example, "The Merits and Demerits of Ambiguity in the Term 'Indo-Pacific': From the Perspective of Political Science"[5] by Nagafumi Nakamura, Project Assistant Professor, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, being particularly close to the author's perception of the problem. Nakamura exhaustively discusses the process of forming the regional concept of the "Indo-Pacific" and its classification as a policy goal, something which the author also attempted, and the two axis classification of "Comprehensiveness of Issue Area (Is it used in the context of traditional security, or is it used in a context that includes economic and non-traditional security)" and "Inclusiveness of Membership (Is it used to restrain China, or is it used for cooperation, including with China?)" shown in this paper, along with presenting a list based on it, is very instructive (detailed below).
Additionally, "Japan's Indo-Pacific Diplomacy and Neighboring Diplomacy"[6] by Professor Emeritus Yoshihide Soeya at Keio University, published at about the same time as Nakamura's paper and which also exhaustively and comprehensively discusses FOIP efforts in Japan and major relevant countries, was heavily referenced, and, particularly focusing on AOIP, pointed out that the change that "Japan's Indo-Pacific diplomacy also reemphasizes the regionalist issues that Japan's diplomacy until now has steadily developed under 'ASEAN Centrality Principles' and gives them a new name," when viewed from the perspectives of AOIP's inherent "inclusiveness" and its affinity with FOIP, is also suggestive in connection with the outcome of the aforementioned EAS Chairman's Statement.
Of course, there are also various other discussions,[7] and, although it is not necessarily an analytical material, the "Efforts and Cooperation on FOIP in Other Countries and Regions"[8] chart (refer to the figure below) that was published in the "Diplomatic Bluebook 2020" is useful because it exhaustively covers the "Indo-Pacific policies" of each country and the statements that mention those policies.
Hereinafter, these materials, the analyses of previous studies, and thearguments of foreign literature selected in "FROM THE OCEANS" with focusing on documents published after 2019 will also be referred to in this paper. And based on such analysis about the overview of the each relevant actor's "Indo-Pacific policy," the author would like to consider about the future directions of FOIP[9].

Reference Figure 1: Efforts and Cooperation on FOIP in Other Countries and Regions

(Source: "Diplomatic Bluebook 2020," (May 2020), Opening Special Feature "Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)")
In addition, the list of Indo-Pacific related articles which selected in "FROM THE OCEANS" included in the author's previous article "Transition and development of FOIP" treatise is also attached as the similar list of related articles from April 2019 to September 2020

2. Chronology Surrounding the Recent FOIP

The chronology of FOIP and the moves of related countries has been shown in the author's previous papers, so this section describes the situation from then until November 2020.
As a premise for explaining the related chronology, the following is overview of the author's basic understanding of FOIP, based on information disseminated through opinion exchanges with domestic and foreign researchers, presentations at symposiums, magazine coverage, and online news articles.[10]
① FOIP is a concept that is currently changing and that needs to be continuously tracked.
② Initially, many believed that FOIP would be a counter to China's "Belt Road initiative", but the Japanese government officially denied this. On the other hand, many experts have pointed out that relations with China are a central concern, and that FOIP has the inherent duality of being a "'Cooperative strategy' to rearise 'Competitive strategy'" in relation to China[11].
③ The view of the international community is also changing, and initially it was thought that the Quad (4-country framework of Japan, the United States, Australia, and India) would be the center, but it is currently shifting to a wider range of multilateral cooperation, including ASEAN countries, Pacific Island countries, and countries such as Britain and France that are outside the region, with the universal "marine governance" of the "Rule of law at sea" being an important incentive for this shift.

The chronology of FOIP is as follows, starting from the publication of the United States Department of Defense "Indo-Pacific Strategy Report" in 2019 (the content of the policy documents will described in detail in the next section).
On June 1, 2019, the United States Department of Defense released the "Indo-Pacific Strategy Report (IPSR)."
On June 22, 2019, the ASEAN Secretariat released the "ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)."
On August 30, 2019, at the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7) held in Yokohama, the sentence "We take good note of the initiative of a free and open Indo-Pacific announced by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at TICAD VI in Nairobi." was included in the "Yokohama Declaration 2019."[12] Although the origin point of FOIP is generally considered to be the keynote speech at TICAD6, it is extremely significant that this wording was again included in the Leaders' Declaration, and in the background of this somewhat roundabout expression of "We take good note," there were media reports that some consideration was given to participating countries that emphasized relations with China.[13]
On October 4, 2019, in his policy speech to the 200th Session of the Diet, Prime Minister Abe said that "Taking the Japan-US alliance as the linchpin, Japan will join hands with the UK, France, Australia, India, and other countries with which we share fundamental values and bring about a free and open Indo-Pacific."[14] It is believed that this reflects the aforementioned view that the international community's perception of FOIP is shifting to one with a wider range of multilateral cooperation in mind. And in the policy speech to the 201st Session of Diet by Prime Minister Abe, he expressed the relevant portion as follows. "On the robust foundation of the Japan-U.S. Alliance, we will aim to bring about a "free and open Indo-Pacific,” working together with countries with which we share fundamental values, such as European countries, India, Australia, and ASEAN member nations."[15] So, he emphasized again that Japan-US alliance is FOIP's foundation.
Meanwhile, on November 4, 2019, the United States Department of State announced "A Free and Open Indo-Pacific: Advancing a Shared Vision."
After that, as is well known, the spread of COVID-19 amidst the intensifying US-China conflict further accelerated the conflict, and the international situation moved significantly. However, under those circumstances, efforts at international cooperation, with a strong awareness of China in the Indo-Pacific region, were being sought, and, above all, the progress of the Quad (upgraded from a Senior Official-level Consultations to a Ministerial) is an important point of interest.
On September 26, 2019, the first US-Japan-Australia-India ministerial meeting[16] was held at the UN General Assembly in New York, and the second round was held in Tokyo on October 6, 2020, at which point it was agreed to make the meeting regular and concurred on further developing practical cooperation in various areas such as quality infrastructure, maritime security, etc, in order to promote FOIP.[17] The cooperation with ASEAN that was mentioned in the introduction and the "full support for AOIP" are also specified here,[18] and it can be said that this symbolizes FOIP's intention towards "wider multilateral cooperation," especially in the form of emphasizing relations with ASEAN.
Then, on August 28, 2020, Prime Minister Abe suddenly announced his resignation. On September 14, Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga, who was elected as the new President of the Liberal Democratic Party, announced at his inaugural press conference that he would fundamentally follow the policies of the Abe administration, but at the subsequent press conferences after he took the position of Prime Minister, the continuance of FOIP was not always explicitly mentioned. And, as previously mentioned, the new Prime Minister Suga visited Vietnam and Indonesia from October 18th to 21st, but at the press conference in Indonesia, Prima Minister Suga stated that "The '(ASEAN) Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)' that was issued last year by ASEAN and the 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific' that Japan advocates for, have many essential commonalities, and Japan fully backs this 'outlook.'"[19]
Prior to this, on October 14, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi criticized the FOIP initiative, symbolized by the aforementioned Second Japan-Australia-India-U.S. Foreign Ministers' Meeting, as "in essence aimed at building a so-called Indo-Pacific 'new NATO'."[20] In response to media questions based on this, Prime Minister Suga replied that "We do not think of the 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific' as being aimed at any particular country, and we can work together with any country that shares our thinking. There are absolutely no ideas about making an Indo-Pacific version of NATO."[21]
Continuing on, in his general policy speech to the 203rd Session of the Diet, Prime Minister Suga mentioned his visit to Vietnam and Indonesia and stated that "Japan will work together with countries with which we share fundamental values, including ASEAN countries, Australia, India, and European countries, and aim to achieve a free and open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law."[22] And, in the portion following this, saying that "A stable relationship with China is extremely important not only for the two countries, but also for the region and the international community." This is a glimpse of the "cooperative strategy to realize competitive strategy" in relation to China can be seen here as well.[23]
On the other hand, the United States presidential election held on November 3 was "decided as a Biden victory," and although it has been debated whether FOIP will be continued under the Biden administration as well, it had been said that a basic understanding on continuance of FOIP was obtained during telephone conferences between Prime Minister Suga and President Biden.[24]
In connection with this, the problem of the expression "peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific" which the author mentioned in "Introduction" was not only the considertion of relationship with China, but in fact, it was based on the remarks by next President Biden in this telephone talks. The Japanese media later reported this episode in the form of quoting the remarks of a senior official of ministry of foreign affairs.[25] And with regard to subsequent movements, that media had reported as follows. The value of "free and open" is an indispensable element in confronting China, and if this changes to "peaceful" or "prosperous" the meaning of restraint against China will be deminised. It is said that the Japanese government has urged the Biden administration preparation team to inherit "FOIP" because it may fade, and finally it was included in the US announcement as "Free and Open Indo-Pacific".
Then, in the Chairman's Statement for the 15th East Asia Summit (EAS) held on November 14, it was reported that there were a variety of exchanges with China, and, as stated in the beginning, the expression "ASEAN Leaders emphasized the importance of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific" was ultimately included."[26] Based on the recent FOIP chronology mentioned above, in the next section the "Indo-Pacific policy" of each relevant actors, including the United States and ASEAN, will be reconfirmed.

3. Each actor's "Indo-Pacific Policy"

(1) The United States' "Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy (FOIP)"

As for the United States' FOIP, in "Transition and development of FOIP," on the question of "Is there any discrepancy in the understanding of FOIP between Japan and the United States?", the conclusion is that "the basic position of both governments is that they have the same idea," in consideration of the common points with Japan's FOIP and from the perspective both of looking at statements from the Japanese and United States governments and looking at what has been shown in information disseminated by the United States.[27] And with regards to the IPSR issued in June 2019, even though there is a view that it shows a decisive confrontation with China, the basic idea has been not changed since a lecture by Secretary of State Tillerson[28] in October 2017, or the release of the National Security Strategy (NSS) in December 2017 and the National Defense Strategy (NDS) in January 2018. It has been stated that this was simply symbolized by the subtitle "Preparedness, Partnerships, and Promoting a Networked Region" in the United States' Indo-Pacific Strategy Report, and, unsurprisingly, subsequent domestic and foreign analysis on this point was contentious.[29]
For example, Columnist Prashanth Parameswaran at The Diplomat wrote that "With respect to partnerships, the wide net cast in the IPSR on a range of allies and partners is promising – be it the explicit inclusion of extraregional allies such as UK, France, and Canada in the Indo-Pacific vision or the emphasis on the Pacific Islands."[30] On the other hand, Ankit Panda, also a columnist at The Diplomat, wrote that the strengthening of alliances and partnerships in "the document includes a focus on allies and, in particular, equitable burden-sharing with allies in the pursuit of Indo-Pacific security," with strongly reflected President Trump's intentions. Therefore, he said that each allies and partners had better to understand it doubtly and "it should not be taken very seriously."[31]
Additionally, the article by Zhou Bo, an honorary fellow with Centre of China-American Defence Relations, Academy of Military Science of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, was suggestive[32].
Here, using ASEAN countries as an example, he points out that "all countries vowing not to take sides are actually taking sides in a smart way, that is, on issues rather than choosing partners," and criticized the member countries making up the Quad, saying that "None of them – not even the US – wishes to jeopardise its bilateral ties with China" and that "Today's global China can hardly be straitjacketed in America's Indo-Pacific strategy."
Incidentally, in fact following the United States Department of Defense's IPSR, in November 2019 the United States Department of State also published a report entitled "A Free and Open Indo-Pacific: Advancing a Shared Vision" in time with the ASEAN-related conference held in Bangkok. Although this report did not receive the same level of attention in Japan as the IPSR, there were some extremely thought-provoking analyses that were conducted, some of which will be outlined here.
Amongst them, a commentary[33] by Koichi Ishikawa, a Research Fellow at the Institute of Asian Studies of Asia University, conducts its analysis while showing summaries of both the ISPR and the preceding "Asia Reassurance Initiative Act: ARIA."[34] This is very suggestive. Here, Ishikawa states that "the reports from the Department of Defense and from the Department of State are based on ARIA" and fundamentally emphasize multilateralism, and he also points out that "the actual movements taken by the Trump administration are not in line with these documents."[35]
In addition, the analysis by Yusuke Takagi, an Associate Professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies,[36] is also very suggestive in terms of its comparisons with IPSR. Takagi mentions the basic perceptions of this report and its commonalities with the IPSR, but the most important difference is that it does not name a particular country, that the word "competition" is used instead of "conflict" with regards to the relationship between them, saying that "The US stance of being actively involved in multilateral diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific region is emerging" and that "You hear the voices of US policymakers trying to stay within the framework of multilateral diplomacy." From these points, Takagi points out that "there are two different ways of thinking about the US-China conflict within the US government."
In fact, this kind of negative view towards the US FOIP is largely due to the Trump administration's unstable and unpredictable diplomatic stance via the 'America First' principle, which has turned its back on the existing international cooperation system, and similar arguments are made overseas. A typical example is the by Derek Grossman, of the US's Pacific Council on International Policy in Los Angeles.[37] Here, Grossman points out the discrepancies between the "letter and spirit" of the United States' "Indo-Pacific Strategy" on the one hand and President Trump's "statements" on the other; he also criticizes the Indo-Pacific nations for not being able to overlook these discrepancies if the United States fails to exercise leadership in the international community.
In light of Grossman's criticism and Takagi pointing out that there are "two different ways of thinking about the US-China conflict" within the United States government, it may be possible to think that the views about FOIP between Japan and the United States, which had been discussed for some time, especially the issue of differences in attitude towards China, may have been a matter of interpretation and operation under the Trump administration. From that point of view, the incoming Biden administration, which is said to be oriented towards a return to the international cooperation system,[38] will also aim for a more collaborative and inclusive approach in the direction of FOIP, including in its response to China. The author believes that the aforementioned EAS Chairman's Statement, references to AOIP in the Quad, and an ASEAN-focused stance can be said to be efforts, in a sense, to anticipate this shift.

(2) ASEAN's "ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific"

In regards to the relationship between FOIP and ASEAN countries, "Transition and Development of FOIP" quoted the article by Masashi Nishihara, President of the Research Institute for Peace and Security,[39] who argued that the experience of ASEAN, which has played a central role in multilateral platforms ("ASEAN`s centrality"[40]) such as the East Asia Summit (EAS) and ARF (ASEAN Regional Forum), should be utilized in the future development of FOIP, which is shifting towards multilateral cooperation,[41] and the author also thinks that this point may be supported to some degree by the extent of the ASEAN-focused stance of the countries involved, such as the mention of AIOP in the EAS Chairman's Statement, as previously mentioned.
The aforementioned paper by Soeya is thought-provoking as to the formation process and significance of AOIP. Soeya describes AOIP as an "ASEAN reaction" due to changes in the stances of various countries trying to deny "anti-China strategic elements," and to promote "considerations for ASEAN countries and other countries under pressure from both the United States and China." He points out "significance of Indo-Pacific cooperation in promoting community building in ASEAN."[42]
Additionally, Takagi had another article[43] wherein he claimed that "two meanings can be read," that "it is necessary to show the difference from the US strategy for the Indo-Pacific by emphasizing the centrality of ASEAN" as well as that "nevertheless, it makes sense to use the phrase 'Indo-Pacific'", and pointing out that "Because the US Indo-Pacific strategy has many attractive portions for ASEAN, we can read ASEAN's intention to further develop the Southeast Asian region by utilizing the US Indo-Pacific strategy rather than denying the Indo-Pacific concept itself."
Many arguments from overseas also positively evaluate this ASEAN stance. For example, "Why ASEAN's Indo-Pacific outlook matters" by Amitav Acharya,[44] Distinguished Professor of International Relations at American University explains how Indonesia has led the idea of AOIP, with Acharya saying that "As a leader of ASEAN, Indonesia is uncomfortable with the US approach," and, with regards to the term "inclusive" that is used here, he states that "The US idea of a ‘free' Indo-Pacific identifies domestic political openness and good governance as key ingredients — putting it at odds with China — while Jakarta's stress on ‘inclusivity' implies that its policy is not meant to isolate China," pointing out that this is an effort to balance the two. Nazia Hussain, a Senior Analyst at Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), also similarly pointed out in his article[45] that "The AOIP is an initial step towards formally incorporating ASEAN centrality in the evolving Indo-Pacific concept."
Of course, some have also pointed out concerns that this ASEAN stance is overly "Affinitive" with China. For example, Research Fellow Shang-Su Wu at RSIS in Singapore, pointed out that AOIP is evaluated as emphasizing ASEAN's "cooperation, stability, peace, freedom of navigation, and other values," while also pointing out that "There remain questions about how to protect these values in the event of a diplomatic failure," and that "If the diplomatic approach fails, then it is important to improve the anti-submarine capabilities of ASEAN countries as a complementary measure to protect the values of ASEAN as shown in AOIP."[46] Regarding this perspective, the South China Morning Post, a daily English newspaper in Hong Kong, reported on the US-ASEAN exercises held in September 2019, with the article showing a similar tone.[47]
In short, while accepting FOIP's basic idea that an ASEAN-led AOIP is "free and open," it also considers "inclusiveness," which does not uniformly exclude China, and it is appropriate to understand that the "centrality of ASEAN" was emphasized as a device for that purpose. And ASEAN countries, which have conflicting interests and concerns in relations with China, have no choice but to adopt the idea of a "cooperative strategy to rearise competitive strategy," similarly to Japan, and there is broad agreement in that sense on the point made by Wu Shang-Su, etc. In view of these points, the author believes that the ASEAN-focused stance of the various relevant countries, such as the aforementioned EAS Chairman's statement and references to the AOIP in the Quad's efforts, are an inevitable response in anticipation of future FOIP development.
In relation to the above, the commentary by Benjamin Ho, an Assistant Professor at Singapore's RSIS[48], is an analysis from the perspective of how none other than China perceives AOIP, with Ho saying that China will "be unlikely to commit to voicing any political support for the AOIP. Instead what Beijing is more interested in would be how this would translate into greater practical cooperation between ASEAN countries and itself," and he also points out about this concept that "Nevertheless there are concerns that such initiatives may privilege China and lead ASEAN member states towards a Sino-centric multilateral arrangement."

(3) The "Indo-Pacific Policies" of Other Relevant Countries

In terms of the "Indo-Pacific policies" of relevant countries, so far the United States' FOIP and ASEAN's AOIP have been described, which the author pays particular attention to, and from now an overview of other policy documents will be given.
First, "France and Security in the Indo-Pacific," from the French Ministry of Armed Forces, was first published in June 2018 and was a pioneer for "Indo-Pacific policy" amongst relevant countries. Additionally, the website of the Embassy of France in Japan has a Japanese translation, and it is relatively easy to access the contents[49]. The document is more like a pamphlet emphasizing the importance of France's presence in the Indo-Pacific region rather than a strategic document, and, although it covers items such as "Main Security Challenges in the Indo-Pacific," it does not explicitly refer to China. Rather, it shows a strong interest in more comprehensive security, such as "Maritime Security" and "Environmental Security," and emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in dealing with these issues. Françoise Nicolas, a Senior Research Fellow at the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI), has published a commentary[50] in which states that "What triggered the change in terminology and gave renewed momentum to France's interest in the Indo-Pacific region is undoubtedly the rise of China and its increasing assertiveness which is perceived by many as a threat to multilateralism and the international rules-based order," while pointing out that its purpose is "neither to antagonise nor contain China" and "is also in line with the vision promoted by ASEAN, which refuses to engage in a confrontational approach to China."
Germany's Federal Foreign Office just released its "Policy guidelines for the Indo-Pacific" on September 1, 2020, and the comprehensive discussion of it in a commentary[51] by Ryuji Honmyo of the JMSDF Command and Staff College is helpful. Germany's "Policy guidelines for the Indo-Pacific" highlight the need for Germany's commitment to the Indo-Pacific region, and emphasize the goal of "expanding cooperation in the areas of multilateralism, climate change mitigation, human rights, rules-based free trade, connectivity, digital trade, and especially security policy." On the topic of relations with China, which is the main concern of this paper, according to Honmyo, "The word 'China' is mentioned 59 times throughout the document (excluding place names such as the South China Sea), (omitted) and this diplomatic policy is more distant from relations with China than before and emphasizes multilateral relations, but still maintains a high level of interest." Additionally, for overseas perspectives on Germany's policy, Coby Goldberg, a Researcher at The Center for a New American Security Asia-Pacific Security Program, wrote the article,[52] and states that while "The German policy might be an important first step in a European rethink on China...it is a notably cautious one," and points out that "German strategic thinking appears meek" as "this indicates both the possibility of a gradual bolstering of regional relationships, and a need for Germany to grow bolder in its approach to China." Germany's approach to China, of paying close attention to both of these possibilities, is also being discussed from the perspective of its similarities with India and ASEAN or with South Korea's stance towards China.
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs released its document, the "Indo-Pacific: Guidelines for Strengthening Cooperation between the Netherlands and EU with Asian Partners," but it was only recently announced, and presently there is only a Dutch language version, so there have not yet been any analyses in japanese of it (As of December 2020, when the Japanese version of this article was announced).[53] However, as far as the author can tell, its composition, similar to the document from Germany, is a statement of strengthening relations between the Indo-Pacific region, its own country, and the EU, and appears to be fundamentally focused on economic cooperation. It also includes a number of keywords in the FOIP philosophy, such as a "rules-based international order," and, additionally, although China's movements in the South China Sea are mentioned, it is not in the form of criticizing China by name, such as in the United States IPSR. However, as with the German document, it can be seen that the overall tone reflects European countries' changes in attitude towards China, as well as that peace, stability, and economic prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region require the active involvement of Europe, a foreign power, and for that reason it is considered to be in line with the documents from France and Germany in that it emphasizes the importance of building an international cooperation system.
The above is an overview of the policy documents from the three countries that explicitly use the phrase "Indo-Pacific," and although there are some slight differences in tone and nuance from other relevant countries, their active support, in the form of references in existing documents such as defense white papers and via statements at summits, for the FOIP promoted by Japan and the United States is as described in the aforementioned list from the Diplomatic Bluebook.

4. Recent Trends and Future Prospects Regarding FOIP

As previously mentioned, the recent chronology surrounding FOIP and the "Indo-Pacific policies" of relevant countries, particularly for the Quad framework that includes the United States, or for the broader framework of the EAS in which China also participates, emphasizes the AOIP advocated for by ASEAN, or, considering the current situation of showing a stance of "emphasise the importance" or "pay attention" to the issue, one way of looking at it is as follows.
First, as shown at the beginning of Section 1, the major direction of FOIP is shifting from the Quad-centered one that was initially envisioned to a form that aims for broader multilateral cooperation, and this is exactly what is being embodied as actual policies in relevant countries (this is not to say that the Quad, which is the engine, has lost its importance). With ASEAN, as an actor in that process, and "ASEAN centrality," as a device for that, playing an important role, the points of "Comprehensiveness of Issue Area" and "Inclusiveness of Membership" will be revisited as they are particularly important keywords in this regard. In the treatise by Nakamura, which was mentioned in the introduction, the classification for these two axes is discussed as follows.

Reference Figure 2: Ambiguity of the "Indo-Pacific" Concept

Nagafumi Nakamura, "The Merits and Demerits of Ambiguity in the Term 'Indo-Pacific': From the Perspective of Political Science," Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Command and Staff College Review Vol. 9, No. 2 (December 2019), pp. 32.
The translation is by the author.

Nakamura pointed out that "Opinions on the Indo-Pacific Concept are divided over the 'Comprehensiveness of Issue Area,' that is, whether it is primarily used in the context of traditional security, or whether it is used in contexts that include economic and non-traditional security. Additionally, there are also differences of opinion on 'Inclusiveness of Membership,' that is, whether it is used to restrain a rising China, or whether it is used for cooperation, including with China,"[54] and presented the conceptual diagram that is shown in Reference Figure 2. Here, Nakamura tries to classify Indo-Pacific policies into four types according to these two axes: "Comprehensive Cooperation (upper right)," "Security Cooperation (upper left)," "Comprehensive Competition (lower right)," and "Security Competition (lower left)," and this image is quite significant in concretely considering aspects of the original dual structure of FOIP's "cooperative strategy to rearise competitive strategy" that has been repeatedly discussed. Of course, this classification is convenient, as Nakamura himself states, but if one tries to position the countries involved with FOIP on this chart then there are a variety of cases that can be expected, such as a country that straddles multiple areas, the chart's center of gravity changing depending on the time, or a country having different purposes depending on the country they are cooperating with. For example, Nakamura explains that "Japan tends to emphasize comprehensive competition and security competition aspects for countries that recognize the need for restraint against China, and tends to emphasize comprehensive cooperation aspects for countries that are wary of it," and, from the point of view of the inherent duality of FOIP that has been discussed so far, this can largely be agreed with.
Based on this classification, the author believes that, as described in this paper, the recent composition of the relationship between FOIP, which is promoted by Japan and the United States, and the "Indo-Pacific policies" of relevant actors, such as ASEAN, can be explained as follows. In other words, as the former Abe administration's original ideas can be seen in the "Security Diamond Concept," the Japanese government has not brought this ("security competition") to the forefront,[55] even if FOIP seems to have the character of a strategy against China, which is a point discussed in the author's previous article, "Transition and Development of FOIP." Rather, when it comes to "Comprehensiveness of Issue Area," it is self-evident that the "comprehensive" type of FOIP is basically oriented from FOIP's background as a proposal at TICAD, which discussed economic cooperation, and from the so-called "three-pillars" composition of putting that economic cooperation into practice, and, for "Inclusiveness of Membership" as well, former Prime Minister Abe, in the FOIP-related section of his policy statement at the 196th Diet, stated that "In this broad direction, we will also work with China,"[56] so it is well known that the Japanese government is officially aiming for a "cooperative" type of FOIP regardless of the "real intentions" part. Amidst such circumstances, there is a point of debate as to whether or not there is a discrepancy between the FOIP promoted by Japan and the FOIP promoted by the United States, which takes a confrontational stance towards China (Nakamura's treatise describes the response under the Trump administration as "comprehensive competition"). As was mentioned earlier in quoting Takagi's treatise on the point, given that from the beginning "there were two different ways of thinking about the US-China conflict within the US government" when it came to FOIP, it can be said that the recent trend of emphasizing ASEAN reflects the insistence of policy makers who "try to stay in the framework of multilateral diplomacy," so to speak, and that the United States' FOIP can be understood as having become more or less oriented towards "comprehensive cooperation."
In fact, this issue of "Inclusiveness of Membership" is not necessarily limited to ASEAN's claims, but is also common to the "Indo-Pacific policies" of the European countries outlined in the previous section. For example, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also used the term "Indo-Pacific" in his keynote speech at the IISS (International Institute for Strategic Studies) Asian defense summit (the Shangri-La Dialogue) in June 2018, but it is reported that he showed an attitude of emphasizing its "inclusiveness," as if to avoid a direct confrontation with China, saying that "India does not see the Indo-Pacific Region as a strategy or as a club of limited members. Nor as a grouping that seeks to dominate. And by no means do we consider it as directed against any country."[57] As such, it is self-evident that if FOIP is to "shift to a wider range of multilateral cooperation" in the future, then it must pursue "Inclusiveness of Membership," and, in that sense, the author, as was mentioned in the previous section, considers it inevitable that the recent tendency to emphasize ASEAN in regards to FOIP, as well as the idea of "ASEAN centrality," that symbolizes its "inclusiveness," have become important keywords.
On the other hand, as a secondary issue that is contrary to this first perspective, it is necessary to pay sufficient attention to how China perceives these tendencies. China's perception of FOIP was discussed in the author's previous work, "Transition and Development of FOIP,"[58] and until the US IPSR was issued China primarily responded with a suppressed reaction, at least when being asked officially. Recently however, coupled with the intensifying conflict between the United States and China and in addition to inferring from the aforementioned EAS Chairman's Statement, Foreign Minister Wang Yi's "Indo-Pacific 'new NATO'" remarks on the Quad, and inferences about FOIP in the TICAD7 Leader's Declaration, there seems to be a particularly increasing sense of caution, about FOIP or the Quad framework and about the term "Indo-Pacific" itself.
As a foreign document that discusses from this point of view, there is the article by Prashanth Parameswarant who came out before,[59] wherein Parameswaran discusses how the Indo-Pacific concept was of particular interest at the 9th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in October 2019, and he reports that a variety of discussions have been held so far, including with Russia and countries involved in FOIP. Unfortunately, in this article, he only reports that Chinese experts accused the United States IPSR of being a "military-led strategy" and that Chad Sbragia, the United States' Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China, made counterarguments, with no concrete descriptions of how the Chinese side perceives the "Indo-Pacific concept." Nevertheless, the fact that such discussions took place at all, in a forum hosted by other than China itself, can be said to be an example of China's extraordinary interest in this matter.
The author's point of view on this matter is that China essentially regards FOIP as a "strategic challenge," continuing to be vigilant and restrained, but on the other hand, has skillfully seized the opportunity, as discussed in this paper, presented by the shift towards emphasizing "member inclusion," in the "Indo-Pacific policies" of relevant countries, which is symbolized by the emphasis on "ASEAN centrality." As the treatise by the RSIS's Benjamin Ho in the previous section points out, this raises the concern that it could eventually "privilege China and lead ASEAN member states towards a Sino-centric multilateral arrangement." And, in fact, this is the point that the author made in the introduction to this paper in paying attention to the proper names of the various "Indo-Pacific policies."
As mentioned above, amidst the "shift to a wider range of multilateral cooperation" in the major direction of "Indo-Pacific policies" from relevant nations, it is extremely rational to emphasize "member inclusion," and, in reality, the author believes that there is no other option unless one wants a full-scale confrontation with China. However, excessive emphasis on relations with China should never lead to abandoning the featured products concept "Rule of Law" from the "Indo-Pacific policies" of relevant countries, which is one of the particularly important ideas of FOIP, and in that sense as well, the series of episodes surrounding the wording of AOIP in the EAS Chairman's statement, mentioned at the beginning, is extremely important. That is to say, Prime Minister Suga's statement at the press conference in Indonesia that AOIP and FOIP have "a lot of essential commonalities" and that they "fully support AOIP," as well as inclusion of the word AOIP in the EAS Chairman's Statement, despite China's opposition, were both basically desirable, but in the process, changing the name of FOIP to something along similar to "a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific," in consideration of relations with China[60], as was briefly reported, meant "a different line," so the author understands why Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato and others were quick to deny this report In the process of actually forming a common concept with the aim of "wider multilateral cooperation," it is possible that the terms used will change in a variety of ways, but, at the very least, the author believes that the "Featured products" related to FOIP's basic ideal of "Free and Open" should never be taken down lightly.

5. Conclusion

This paper discussed the "Indo-Pacific policies" of various relevant countries, including the FOIP promoted by Japan and the United States, as well as ideas on what the proper names of these policies mean. The unexpected resignation of former Prime Minister Abe brought FOIP once again into the limelight, but, in the process, the author believes that some of the issues discussed so far have been sorted out. One of these is an approach that "aims for multilateral cooperation," and, specifically, it appears that the ASEAN-advanced basic principle of "comprehensiveness" emphasizing "cooperation" has become one point of consensus amongst the countries involved, including the United States. However, this is a completely different dimension from encouraging China to participate in a democratic international order, such as the "Rule of Law," which is the basic ideal of FOIP, and, since the emphasis is on "inclusiveness of membership," as mentioned in this paper, responses such as abandoning FOIP's "Featured products" ideal of "Free and Open" would be mistaking the means for the ends and should not be done. In this paper, the author's purpose, in giving an overview of the "Indo-Pacific policies" of relevant countries, was exactly this, to pay attention to the ideas meant by the proper names of these policies.

*This article was originally written in Japanese and posted as "FROM THE OCEANS, Kaiyou Anzen Hosyou Jouhou Tokuhou [Maritime Security Special Intelligence Analysis Report]” on Ocean Policy Research Institute, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation website, December 24, 2020. Some descriptions have been updated.

Attachment
Major overseas literature related to FOIP from April 2019 to September 2020 that was introduced in "FROM THE OCEANS"(Maritime Security Information Ten-Day Report of OPRI's website)

As with the author's previous article, "FOIP no hensen to tenkai[Transition and development of FOIP],"(in japanease) the literature discussed here is not limited to those that explicitly mention "Indo-Pacific," but also encompasses those that are considered to be closely related to this. Also, if the original article was not available to link, some links to the reprinted article.

Symbol Classification
F: FOIP or an explicit reference to the regional concept of "Indo-Pacific"
G: Broad discussion of the nature of FOIP (meaning 'General')
AS: Discussion on relations with ASEAN countries (South China Sea related items are classified under this symbol)
AU: Discussion of relations with Australia
CH: Discussion of Relations with China
EU: Discussion of relations with European countries
IN: Discussion of relations with India
IO: Discussion of relations with Indian Ocean coastal countries
JP: Discussion of relations with Japan
ME: Discussion of relations with Midde Eastern and African countries
OT:Discussions of other regions
PI: Discussion of relations with Pacific Island nations
QU: Discussion of the Quad (4-country framework of Japan, the United States, Australia, and India)
US: Discussion of relations with the United States
*The application of classification symbols to each of the following articles is based on the author's own perspective.

[1] “Abe Seiken no ‘Legacy’ to kongo [Gaikou] Rule ni motozuku kokusai chitsujo wo syudou[The Abe Administration’s ‘Legacy’ and the Future of Leading a [Diplomatic] Rules-Based International Order,]” (in Japanese),The Yomiuri Quarterly “Survey Research” Autumn 2020 Issue, November 10, 2020. “‘Sekai no Katachi, Nihon no Katachi[‘Shape of the World, Shape of Japan,’] by Professor Kazuya Sakamoto of Osaka University – Sengo wo owaraseta shushou[The Prime Minister Who Ended the Postwar Period],” (in Japanese) October 19, 2020, The Sankei Shimbun, etc. In overseas literature, “Measuring Shinzo Abe’s Impact on the Indo-Pacific” by John Hemmings, East-West Center, Asia Pacific Bulletin, No. 563, is particularly suggestive.
https://www.eastwestcenter.org/publications/measuring-shinzo-abe%E2%80%99s-impact-the-indo-pacific

[2] “Nihon to ASEAN no kyoudou seimei, Chuugoku wo isiki sita naiyou ni... [A joint statement by Japan and ASEAN, where the content is giving awareness to China...]” (in Japanese), Yomiuri Shimbun, November 13, 2020. “Chuugoku ha ‘Jiyuu de hirakareta Indo Taiheiyou’ soshi ni yakki[China Rushes to Stop the ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific,]’“ and “Taichuu senryaku ni huan, Shusyou ‘Indo Taiheiyou’ ni genkyuu sezu[Uncertain about Strategy Towards China, Prime Minister Doesn’t Mention ‘Indo-Pacific]’“  (in Japanese) ,The Sankei Shimbun, November 14, 2020, etc.

[3] “Katou Kanbou choukan, ASEAN+3 Shunou kaigi: ‘Jiyuu de hirakareta Indo Taiheiyou’ kawarazu[Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato, ASEAN+3 Summit: ‘No Change to Free and Open Indo-Pacific,’]” (in Japanese), November 16, 2020, The Sankei Shimbun. Additionally, this point was explained in more detail in the question and answer session at the Foreign Press Secretary’s press conference on November 18, where it was stated that “It is referred to as a strategy or vision depending on the context or other aspects. (Omitted) he [Minister Motegi] answered that the word ‘vision’ is added to ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ when predicating its realization,” which are remarks that explain the “transition and development of FOIP,” and, as was mentioned, is the same as the author’s understanding. Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, “Press Conference by Foreign Press Secretary YOSHIDA Tomoyuki (Wednesday, November 18, 2020).” https://www.mofa.go.jp/press/kaiken/kaiken6e_000021.html

[4] In this paper, the general term “policy” is used for convenience as a general expression. From the viewpoint that “Free and Open” are common and essential values in the discussions related to this topic thus far, the author treats them as a concept common to FOIP as necessary, including those whose proper name does not include them. However, in this paper, “policy” is used as a general term so as not to cause misunderstanding when making comparisons with these.

[5] Nagafumi Nakamura, “Tagiteki na ‘Indo Taiheiyou’ no kouzai-seijigaku teki kanten kara-[The Merits and Demerits of Ambiguity in the Term ‘Indo-Pacific’: From the Perspective of Political Science,]” (in Japanese), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Command and Staff College Review Vol. 9, No. 2 (December 2019), pp. 20-37.https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/navcol/SSG/review/9-2-s/9-2-3.pdf

[6] Yoshihide Soeya, “Nihon no Indo Taiheiyou gaikou to kinrin gaikou[Japan’s Indo-Pacific Diplomacy and Neighboring Diplomacy],” (in Japanese), “International Affairs” No. 688 (January and February 2020), pp. 18-32. http://www2.jiia.or.jp/kokusaimondai_archive/2020/2020-01_003.pdf?noprint

[7] Additionally, even though it is not intended to compare the policies of relevant countries, the background of each actor’s commitment to Indo-Pacific policy is discussed in Section 1 of Ken Jimbo’s “Indo Taiheiyou no anzen hosyou Senryaku kuukan to siteno syuuren [Indo-Pacific Security: Contraction as a Strategic Space]”, (in Japanese), “International Affairs” No. 687 (December 2019), pp. 7-16, is very suggestive. In addition, Kouichi Ishikawa’s “Itsutsu no Indo Taiheiyou kousou[Five Indo-Pacific Visions],” (in Japanese), “World Economic Review IMPACT” (November 4, 2019) is helpful as a brief summary. Outside of analytical articles, “‘News kara yomitoku Indo Taiheiyou chiiki no ima[Now’ in the Indo-Pacific Region, Decoded from the News],” (in Japanese),of “MAMOR” the Ministry of Defense’s public relations magazine(December 2019), is also useful as a comprehensive list of the trends in each related country.

[8] “Diplomatic Bluebook 2020,” (May 2020), Opening Special Feature “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIPc (FOIP),’“ p009. https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/other/bluebook/2020/pdf/0d.pdf
However, German and Netherlands document are not covered in this because they were published after it.

[9] Wrote by chronological order, they are as follows. Details of each will be described later. Titles from languages other than English are tentative translations by the author. The same applies hereinafter.
“INDO-PACIFIC STRATEGY REPORT Preparedness, Partnerships, and Promoting a Networked Region,” The Department of Defense, June 1, 2019 https://media.defense.gov/2019/May/31/2002139210/-1/-1/1/DOD_INDO_PACIFIC_STRATEGY_REPORT_JUNE_2019.PDF
“ASEAN OUTLOOK ON THE INDO-PACIFIC,” ASEAN Secretariat, June 22, 2019
https://asean.org/storage/2019/06/ASEAN-Outlook-on-the-Indo-Pacific_FINAL_22062019.pdf
“France and Security in the INDO-PACIFIC,” French Ministry of Defense, 2018 Edition, updated in August, 2019
https://www.defense.gouv.fr/layout/set/print/content/download/532754/9176250/version/3/file/France+and+Security+in+the+Indo-Pacific+-+2019.pdf
“A FREE AND OPEN INDO-PACIFIC Advancing a Shared Vision,” The Department of State, November 4, 2019
https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Free-and-Open-Indo-Pacific-4Nov2019.pdf
“Germany – Europe – Asia: shaping the 21st century together: The German Government adopts policy guidelines on the Indo-Pacific region,” Federal Foreign Office, Sep 1 2020.
https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/aussenpolitik/regionaleschwerpunkte/asien/german-government-policy-guidelines-indo-pacific/2380510
November 13, 2020, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs “The Indo-Pacific: Guidelines for Strengthening Cooperation between the Netherlands and EU with Asian Partners” (As of December 10, 2020, only a Dutch version has been released.) “Indo-Pacific: een leidraad voor versterking van de Nederlandse en EU-samenwerking met partners in Azië,”
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/publicaties/2020/11/13/indo-pacific-een-leidraad-voor-versterking-van-de-nederlandse-en-eu-samenwerking-met-partners-in-azie

[10] See below for the most recent news articles. Teruaki Aizawa, “ ‘Jiyuu de hirakareta Indo Taiheiyou (FOIP)’ no rikai ni kansuru ‘kojin no kansou’ sonogo [personanl Impressions for Understanding the ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) afterwards],’“ (in Japanese), Ocean Jigsaw Puzzle Piece No. 196,” September 30, 2020, Ocean Policy Research Institute website, https://blog.canpan.info/oprf/archive/1930. “Dai 6kai Kaiyou Anzen hosyou Symposium: waga kuni no kaiyou anzen hosyou to kongo no kaijou boueiryoku no yakuwari(kouhen) [The 6th Maritime Security Symposium: Japan’s Maritime Security and the Role of Maritime Defense Capability in the Future (Part 2),” (in Japanese),”Suikou”, 2020 New Year Issue” (January 2020), pp. 9-11. Interview: “Senmonka ni kiku. Chiseigaku teki ni mita Indo Taiheiyou chiiki no tokuchou to genjou[Ask an Expert! Geopolitical Characteristics and the Current Situation of the Indo-Pacific Region],” (in Japanese),”MAMOR,” November 2019 issue, p. 23, etc.

[11] Aizawa,”Transition and development of FOIP,” p. 23. As for “‘Cooperative Strategy’ to rearise ‘Competitive Strategy,’“ see “‘Cooperative Strategy’ to rearise ‘Competitive Strategy’: The composite structure of Japan’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” strategy (vision) “ by Matake Kamiya, SSDP “Society of Security and Diplomatic Policy Studies”, February 2019. http://ssdpaki.la.coocan.jp/en/proposals/26.html

[12] Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, “Yokohama Declaration 2019: Advancing Africa’s Development through People, Technology and Innovation,” August 30, 2019.
https://www.mofa.go.jp/region/africa/ticad/ticad7/pdf/yokohama_declaration_en.pdf

[13] “Chuugoku tono chigai kyouchou, Indo Taiheiyou kousou meiki, Yokohama sengen[Emphasis on Differences with China: Indo-Pacific Vision Specified in the Yokohama Declaration],” (in Japanese), Mainichi Shimbun, August 31, 2019.

[14] Prime Minister’s Office website, “Prime Minister Abe’s Policy Speech to the 200th Session of Diet,” October 4, 2019. https://japan.kantei.go.jp/98_abe/statement/201910/_00003.html

[15] Prime Minister’s Office website, “Prime Minister Abe’s Policy Statement to the 201st Session of Diet,” January 20, 2020. https://japan.kantei.go.jp/98_abe/statement/202001/_00004.html

[16] Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, “Japan-Australia-India-U.S. Ministerial,” September 26, 2019. https://www.mofa.go.jp/fp/nsp/page3e_001112.html

[17] Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, “The Second Japan-Australia-India-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting” October 6, 2020, https://www.mofa.go.jp/press/release/press6e_000244.html

[18] However, the reference to AOIP in the Quad framework was first mentioned in the Senior Official-level Consultations at the series of ASEAN-related meetings in November 2019.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, “Japan-Australia-India-U.S. Consultations,” November 11, 2019, https://www.mofa.go.jp/fp/nsp/page4e_001157.html

[19] Prime Minister’s Office website, “Press Conference by the Prime Minister (for Foreign and Domestic Media about the Visits to Vietnam and Indonesia),” October 21, 2020,
https://japan.kantei.go.jp/99_suga/statement/202010/_00003.html

[20] “Wang Yi: U.S. “Indo-Pacific Strategy” Undermines Peace and Development Prospects in East Asia,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the people’s Republic of China, October 13, 2020.
https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/zxxx_662805/t1824140.shtml

[21] Prime Minister’s Office website, “Vietnam oyobi Indonesia houmon ni tsuiteno naigai kisya kaiken: sitsug outou[Press Conference by the Prime Minister for Foreign and Domestic Media about the Visits to Vietnam and Indonesia:QA],” (in Japanese), October 21, 2020,
https://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/99_suga/statement/2020/1021kaiken.html

[22] Prime Minister’s Office website, “Policy Speech by the Prime Minister to the 203rd Session of the Diet,” October 26, 2020. https://japan.kantei.go.jp/99_suga/statement/202010/_00006.html

[23] There is also the view that not using the term “vision” here was a consideration for China. “Suga Gaikou BeiChuu barance juusi Indo Taiheiyou ‘Kousou’ hazusu [Suga Diplomacy, in Focusing on the US-China Balancing, Removed ‘Vision’ from ‘Indo-Pacific’],” (in Japanese), Nihon Keizai Shimbun, October 28, 2020.

[24] In the telephone conference between Prime Minister Suga and Mr. Biden held on November 12, Prime Minister Suga “expressed his desire to coordinate towards realizing a ‘free and open Indo-Pacific,’“ and in response to this, Mr. Biden “stated that he looked forward to further strengthening the Japan-U.S. Alliance and cooperating towards peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.” Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, “Telephone Talk between Prime Minister Suga and President-elect Biden,”
https://www.mofa.go.jp/na/na1/us/page3e_001104.html

[25] “Biden Seiken, Taichuu de Nihon to asinami [Biden administration keeps pace with Japan in policy toward China]” (in Japanese), January 29, 2021, The Asahi Shimbun.

[26] Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, “The 15th East Asia Summit (EAS) Chairman’s Statement, Paragraph 40, (November 14, 2020),” https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/100117705.pdf

[27] Aizawa, “Transition and development of FOIP,” (in Japanese), pp. 17-18.

[28] “Defining Our Relationship with India for the Next Century: An Address by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson” Wednesday, October 18, 2017 10:00 am - 11:15 am CSIS Headquarters https://csis-website-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/event/171018_An_Address_by_U.S._Secretary_of_State_Rex_Tillerson.pdf?O0nMCCRjXZiUa5V2cF8_NDiZ14LYRX3m

[29] There are some similar views with the author on the point that the ISPR aims for multilateral cooperation, such as Takahiro Ishihara pointing out that “particularly interesting is the attitude of cooperation with allies and friendly countries.” “Bei, ‘Indo Taiheiyou senryaku houkoku’ wo kouhyou[US Publishes the ‘Indo-Pacific Strategy Report’],” (in Japanese), JMSDF Command and Staff College Strategic Studies Group Topics 068, June 13, 2019,
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/navcol/SSG/topics-column/068.html

[30] Prashanth Parameswaran,” Assessing the US Indo-Pacific Strategy Report: Current Opportunities and Future Uncertainties,” The Diplomat, June 3, 2019.
https://thediplomat.com/2019/06/assessing-the-us-indo-pacific-strategy-report-current-opportunities-and-future-uncertainties/

[31] Ankit Panda, “The 2019 US Indo-Pacific Strategy Report:Who’s It For?,” The Diplomat, June 11, 2019. https://thediplomat.com/2019/06/the-2019-us-indo-pacific-strategy-report-whos-it-for/

[32] Zhou Bo, “A US Indo-Pacific strategy that isolates China is small-minded and dangerous,” South China Morning Post, June 27, 2019
https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3016115/us-indo-pacific-strategy-isolates-china-small-minded-and-dangerous

[33] Koichi Ishikawa, “Asia Anzenhosouhou, kokubou sousyou oyobi kokumusyou no Indo Tiheiyou Senryaku houkokusyo ni miru Beikoku no Indo Taiheiyou Senryaku[US Indo-Pacific Strategy viewed from the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act, the Indo-Pacific Strategy Report of the Department of Defense, the Department of State],” (in Japanese),World Economic Review IMPACT+ No. 16, June 8, 2020.
http://www.world-economic-review.jp/impact/plus/impact_plus_016.pdf

[34] US President Donald Trump signed the law on December 31, 2018, and it is said to include strengthening security and comprehensive economic cooperation with Asian countries. “Bei, Chuugoku kensei he sinpou seiritsu, Taiwan to Gunji Kyouryoku Suisin [US enacts New Law to constraint China and Promote Military Cooperation with Taiwan],” (in Japanese), Jan 3,2019, Nihon Keizai Shimbun

[35] Ishikawa, “US Indo-Pacific Strategy,” p. 26.

[36] Yusuke Takagi, “Bei Kokumusyou ‘Indo Taiheiyou houkokusyo’ ni miru takokukan gaikou eno kodawari[Commitment to Multilateral Diplomacy in the US Department of State’s ‘Indo-Pacific Report,’]” (in Japanese), Nikkei Business, November 14, 2019,
https://business.nikkei.com/atcl/seminar/19/00023/111200110/

[37] Derek Grossman, “The Biggest Threat to the US Indo-Pacific Strategy? Washington,” Pacific Council on International Policy, Aug 2, 2019.
https://www.pacificcouncil.org/newsroom/biggest-threat-us-indo-pacific-strategy-washington

[38] For example, in “Why America Must Lead Again: Rescuing U.S. Foreign Policy After Trump” by Joseph R. Biden Jr., Foreign Affairs, March/April 2020, President-elect Biden generally says that he will aim for a return to the international cooperation system.

[39] Masashi Nishihara, “Indo Taiheiyou Senryaku wo kasseika seyo[Activate the Indo-Pacific Strategy,]” (in Japanese), The Sankei Shimbun, “Seiron,” August 22, 2018,
https://www.sankei.com/column/news/180822/clm1808220005-n3.html

[40] For details on “ASEAN`s centrality,” refer to Tomotaka Shoji, “Japan’s Security Cooperation with ASEAN:Pursuit of a Status as a “Relevant” Partnery,” NIDS Journal of Defense and Security Vol. 16, December 2015. http://www.nids.mod.go.jp/english/publication/kiyo/pdf/2015/bulletin_e2015_5.pdf

[41] Aizawa, “Transition and development of FOIP,” p. 19.

[42] Soeya, “Japan’s Indo-Pacific Diplomacy and Neighboring Diplomacy,” p. 25.

[43] Yusuke Takagi, “ASEAN ga happyou sita ‘Indo Taiheiyou gaikyou’ ga imisuru mono[What the ‘Indo-Pacific Outlook’ Announced by ASEAN Means],” (in Japanese),Nikkei Business, June 26, 2019,
 https://business.nikkei.com/atcl/seminar/19/00023/062500065/#:~:text

[44] Amitav Acharya, “Why ASEAN’s Indo-Pacific outlook matters,” EASTASIAFORUM,August 11,2019 https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2019/08/11/why-aseans-indo-pacific-outlook-matters/

[45] Nazia Hussain, “ASEAN joins the Indo-Pacific conversation,” EASTASIAFORUM, August 16, 2019. https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2019/08/16/asean-joins-the-indo-pacific-conversation/

[46] Shang-Su Wu, “Undersea Surveillance: Supplementing the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Outlook,” Center for international Maritime Security, September 3, 2019.
https://cimsec.org/undersea-surveillance-supplementing-the-asean-indo-pacific-outlook/41314

[47] “ASEAN steers between two powers with joint US military exercise in South China Sea,” The South China Morning Post, September 7, 2019.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3026092/asean-steers-between-two-powers-joint-us-military-exercise

[48] Benjamin Ho, “How China Sees the Indo-Pacific: What Next After AOIP?,” RSIS Commentary, December 30,2019.
https://www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/rsis/how-china-sees-the-indo-pacific-what-next-after-aoip/

[49] Embassy of France in Japan website, “Furansu to Indo Taiheiyou chiiki ni okeru anzen hosyou[France and Security in the Indo-Pacific],” (in Japanese), May 29, 2019, https://jp.ambafrance.org/article14617

[50] Françoise Nicolas, “France’s Indo-Pacific Strategy: inclusive and principled,” EAST ASIA FORUM, December 12, 2019.
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2019/12/12/frances-indo-pacific-strategy-inclusive-and-principled/

[51] Ryuji Honmyo, “Doitsu Renpou Kyouwakoku ga ‘Indo Taiheiyou Gaikou shisin (Leitlinien zum Indo-Pazifik)’wo kouhyou(Japanese subtitle omitted) [The Federal Republic of Germany Publishes the ‘Policy guidelines for the Indo-Pacific (Leitlinien zum Indo-Pazifik)’: Involvement in the Indo-Pacific Region through Multilateral Cooperation],” JMSDF Command and Staff College Strategic Studies Group Column 178, October 23, 2020, https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/navcol/assets/pdf/column178_01.pdf

[52] Coby Goldberg, “Germany’s Indo-Pacific Vision: A New Reckoning With China or More Strategic Drift?” The Diplomat, September 15, 2020.
https://thediplomat.com/2020/09/germanys-indo-pacific-vision-a-new-reckoning-with-china-or-more-strategic-drift/

[53] Overseas there is the following analysis, but its view is similar to that of the author. Sebastian Strangio, “Following France and Germany, the Netherlands Pivots to the Indo-Pacific-The new Dutch policy could foreshadow a joint European policy toward the strategically vital region.”
https://thediplomat.com/2020/11/following-france-and-germany-the-netherlands-pivots-to-the-indo-pacific/

[54] Nakamura, “The Merits and Demerits of Ambiguity in the Term ‘Indo-Pacific’: From the Perspective of Political Science,” pp. 31-32.

[55] Aizawa, “Philosophy and Practice of FOIP,” p. 6.

[56]  Prime Minister’s Office website, “Prime Minister Abe’s Policy Statement at the 196th Diet,” January 22, 2018, http://japan.kantei.go.jp/98_abe/statement/201801/_00002.html

[57] Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, Prime Minister’s Keynote Address at Shangri La Dialogue, June 1, 2018
https://www.mea.gov.in/Speeches-Statements.htm?dtl/29943/Prime+Ministers+Keynote+Address+at+Shangri+La+Dialogue+June+01+2018

[58] Aizawa, “Transition and Development of FOIP,” p. 21.

[59] Prashanth Parameswarant, “Indo-Pacific Conceptions in the Spotlight at China’s Xiangshan Forum,” The Diplomat, October 24, 2019.
https://thediplomat.com/2019/10/indo-pacific-conceptions-in-the-spotlight-at-chinas-xiangshan-forum/

[60] In fact, the term was used by US President-elect Biden, as mentioned at the end of Section 1 (See footnote 25).

2019

AS, US: (Reuters, April 1, 2019) U.S. delivers six patrol boats to Vietnam amid deepening security ties | Reuters

G, AS: (Asia Pacific Pathways to Progress Foundation Inc., April 2, 2019)

Building Maritime Security from Land: A Multi-Faceted Approach - Asia Pacific Pathways to Progress Foundation Inc. (appfi.ph)

IN, IO: (The Strategist, April 3, 2019) The rising tide in the Andaman Sea | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au)

IN, US: (Business Today, April 3, 2019) India, US navies set up first ever secure communication link under COMCASA - BusinessToday

AS, CH, US: (Asia Times.com, April 4, 2019) South China Sea on a precarious strategic edge - Asia Times

AS, IN: (The Diplomat, April 4, 2019) Coast Guard Visit Highlights India-Vietnam Maritime Cooperation – The Diplomat

AS, US: (South China Morning Post, 4 April, 2019) US plans to send second aircraft carrier to Vietnam, highlighting concerns about China's regional influence | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, CH: (Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, CSIS, April 8, 2019) Slow and Steady: Vietnam's Spratly Upgrades | Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (csis.org)

AS, CH: (South China Morning Post, April 10, 2019) How a swarm of Chinese fishing vessels could swamp Duterte's effort to strengthen Philippines-China ties | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, CH, US: (The Diplomat, April 16, 2019) Major US Army Exercise to Focus on South China Sea – The Diplomat

EU, IN: (The National Interest, April 19, 2019) Aircraft Carrier Alliance: Will Britain Build India a New Queen Elizabeth-Class Carrier? | The National Interest

CH, US: (The Washington Post, April 20, 2019) To help counter China, U.S. turns to the Coast Guard - The Washington Post

AS, CH: (NIKKEI Asian Review, April 25, 2019) Manila set to block Chinese bidders from largest shipyard - Nikkei Asia

AS, CH, EU: (The Diplomat, April 27, 2019) Making Sense of China's Reaction to the French Navy's Taiwan Strait Transit – The Diplomat

AS, US: (South China Morning Post.com, May 4, 2019) The US needs to get back into Asia and be a stable counter to China's influence | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AU, PI, US: (The Strategist, May 6, 2019) Washington's Pacific islands strategy shouldn't focus solely on China | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au)

F, G, AU, CH, US: (The Interpreter, May 7, 2019) Strategic trends across the Indo-Pacific region | The Interpreter (lowyinstitute.org)

G, US: (U.S. Naval Institute, Proceedings Vol. 145, May 2019) Why We Defend Free Seas | Proceedings - May 2019 Vol. 145/5/1,395 (usni.org)

G, CH: (The Diplomat, May 11, 2019) China's Global Port Play – The Diplomat

PI, US: (The Diplomat, May 11, 2019) The United States Needs a COFA Strategy – The Diplomat

G, AS, CH: (The Diplomat.com, May 13, 2019) South China Sea Minilateralism: Between Opportunities and Limits – The Diplomat

F, AS, CH: (The Strategist, May 14, 2019) Indonesia–Vietnam maritime clash a sign of rising Indo-Pacific tensions | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au)

G, AU, IO, JP, US: (The Diplomat, May 20, 2019) French, US, Australian, Japanese Warships Drill in Bay of Bengal – The Diplomat

AS, CH, US: (South China Morning Post, May 22, 2019) Washington and Beijing in 'contest of wills' in South China Sea | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

CH, PI, US: (Reuters, May 24, 2019) U.S. official urges Pacific Island nations to keep ties with Taiwan | Reuters

CH, US: (The National Interest, May 30, 2019) Analysts: U.S. Troops Should Fortify Islands Near China | The National Interest

AS, CH, US: (RSIS Commentary, May 31, 2019) US-China Conflict: Will ASEAN Centrality Be Derailed?

F, G, CH, US: (The Diplomat.com, June 3, 2019) Assessing the US Indo-Pacific Strategy Report: Current Opportunities and Future Uncertainties   – The Diplomat

F, AU, CH, EU, PI, US: (The Strategist, June 5, 2019) South Pacific security at Shangri-La | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au)

F, G, EU: (The Diplomat, June06, 2019) France Trumpets Renewed Commitment to Stability in Indo-Pacific – The Diplomat

F, G, EU: (The Diplomat.com, June 7, 2019) Where Is Britain's Indo-Pacific Strategy? – The Diplomat

F, CH, IO, ME: (IPP Review.com, June 10, 2019) China's Port Diplomacy Has Not Been Plain Sailing - Voice of Djibouti

F, G, CH, US: (The Diplomat, June 11, 2019) The 2019 US Indo-Pacific Strategy Report: Who's It For? – The Diplomat

AS, JP: (Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, CSIS, June 14, 2019) Duterte's Pivot to Japan | Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (csis.org)

AS, CH, EU: (South China Morning Post, 15 Jun, 2019) China's new abnormal: European patrols in disputed Southeast Asian waters | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

F, G, AS: (The Diplomat.com, June 17, 2019) Great Expectations: ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific Concept – The Diplomat

CH, PI: (The Strategist, June 18, 2019) Is China using its South China Sea strategy in the South Pacific? | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au)

AS, CH: (South China Morning Post, 20 June, 2019) Collision highlights need for South China Sea code | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AU, PI: (South China Morning Post, 23 Jun, 2019) Why the tiny Solomon Islands matter – to East and West | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

F, AU, IN, IO: (The Strategist, 25 Jun 2019) No longer in a cleft stick: India and Australia in the Indo-Pacific | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au)

CH, EU: (The National Interest, June 26, 2019) Beware China's Inroads into the Atlantic | The National Interest

AU, EU: (The Strategist, 27 Jun 2019) Australia and France collaborate to reduce environmental security risks | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au)

F, G, CH, US: (South China Morning Post, June 27, 2019) A US Indo-Pacific strategy that isolates China is small-minded and dangerous | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, CH, JP, US: (South China Morning Post, 28 Jun, 2019) China accused of entering 'grey zone' between war and peace to assert control in disputed waters | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, AU, CH: (The Strategist, 1 Jul 2019) Australia must do more than flag-wave in the South China Sea | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au)

F, AS, IN: (Indian Express.com, July 3, 2019) Ocean's eleven | The Indian Express

F, AU, PI: (The Strategist, July 9, 2019) The place of the Pacific islands in the Indo-Pacific | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au)

IO: (East Asia Forum, 9 July 2019) Stronger institutions sorely needed in the Indian Ocean | East Asia Forum

AS: July 12, "What to Expect From ASEAN's New Agreement on Marine Debris," (The Diplomat, July 12, 2019)
https://www.spf.org/oceans/analysis_ja01/_20190711.html#scrollnavi2

F, IN: (South China Morning Post, July 12, 2019) Not the US, not China. India holds the cards in the Indo-Pacific | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

F, EU: (RSIS Commentary, July 18, 2019) Germany in the Indo-Pacific: New Security Actor?

AS, CH: (South China Morning Post, 20 Jul, 2019) Why China's 'militiasation' of the South China Sea needs a review by the Philippines-US alliance | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, CH: (South China Morning Post, July 21, 2019) China's neighbours bolster their coastguards as stand-off stokes tensions in disputed South China Sea | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, CH: (South China Morning Post, July 31, 2019) 'Major progress' on South China Sea code of conduct talks even as Beijing warns other countries against 'sowing distrust' | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, CH, US: (South China Morning Post, 23 Jul, 2019) US steps up its activities in the Pacific to counter China's growing influence: Coast Guard chief | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, CH, US: (Center for International Maritime Security, July 22, 2019) Localized Sea Denial: Countering Chinese Aggression in the South China Sea | Center for International Maritime Security (cimsec.org)

CH, IO, IN: (The Hindu, July 25, 2019) India is keeping a close watch on China's focus on navy, says Indian Navy chief - The Hindu BusinessLine

F, CH, EU: (The Interpreter, July 26, 2019) The limits to French grandeur in the Indo-Pacific (lowyinstitute.org)

CH, IO, US: (South China Morning Post, June 27, 2019) US naval base rumours in Sri Lanka spark alarm as Washington and Beijing tussle for influence in Indo-Pacific | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

CH, US: (Foreign Policy, July 29, 2019) Yesterday's Cold War Shows How to Beat China Today – Foreign Policy

F, G, US: (The Diplomat, August 1, 2019) The Biggest Threat to the US Indo-Pacific Strategy? Washington Itself. – The Diplomat

AU, US: (East Asia Forum, August 2, 2019) Australia's middle power role in the Asia Pacific | East Asia Forum

CH, US: (The Diplomat.com, August 2, 2019) Is America Now Directly Arming Against China? – The Diplomat

PI, US: (South China Morning Post, 5 Aug. 2019) Mike Pompeo's visit to Micronesia highlights US anxiety about rising Chinese influence in Pacific | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

F, AS: (RSIS Commentaries, August 6, 2019) ASEAN's Indo-Pacific Dilemma: Where To From Here?

AS, CH: (South China Morning Post.com, August 8, 2019) South China Sea stand-off shows Vietnam has few options in dealing with Beijing's bullying | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

F, IN, US: (IPP Review, August 8, 2019) India-US Relations: Natural Partners, With Conditions Applied | Vision India Foundation

AS, CH, EU: (NIKKEI Asian Review, August 9, 2019) EU should expand maritime activity in Southeast Asia as China looms - Nikkei Asia

F, AS: (East Asia Forum, August 11, 2019) Why ASEAN's Indo-Pacific outlook matters | East Asia Forum

F, QU: (The Interpreter, August 12, 2019) It's time for a "Quad" of coast guards (lowyinstitute.org)

F, AS: (East Asia Forum, 16 August 2019) ASEAN joins the Indo-Pacific conversation | East Asia Forum

AS, CH: (Inquirer.net, August 15, 2019) How China's failure to observe rules in PH waters clashes with own policy | (inquirer.net)

AS, CH: (RAND Blog, August 19, 2019) Why Vanguard Bank and Why Now? Explaining Chinese Behavior in the South China Sea | RAND

IN, IO: (IPP Review.com, August 23, 2019) Holistic Development of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Vision India Foundation

AS, CH: (VOA News.com, August 25, 2019) US Military Official Confirms China Deal to Use Cambodian Naval Base | Voice of America - English (voanews.com)

AS, CH: (Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, CSIS, August 26, 2019) Balancing Law and Realpolitik in the South China Sea | Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (csis.org)

G, AS, CH, US: (The Diplomat.com, August 27, 2019) What's Behind the Rising US-Southeast Asia Coast Guard Cooperation? – The Diplomat

AS, US: (South China Morning Post.com, August 30, 2019) New US military bases in Asia-Pacific 'likely to be temporary' for troop flexibility | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, CH: (South China Morning Post, 1 Sep, 2019) How Rodrigo Duterte's latest Beijing visit marks a crossroads for China, the Philippines and Asia | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

F, AS, CH: (Center for international Maritime Security, September 3, 2019) Undersea Surveillance: Supplementing the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Outlook | Center for International Maritime Security (cimsec.org)

AS, CH, EU, IN: (Asia Times, September 5, 2019) Welcome to the Indo-Russia maritime Silk Road - Asia Times

AS, CH, US: (South China Morning Post, September 7, 2019) Asean steers between two powers with joint US military exercise in South China Sea | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, EU: (The Diplomat, September 9, 2019) What's in the First Spain Warship Voyage to the Philippines?   – The Diplomat

AS, CH: (South China Morning Post, September 9, 2019) Can Beijing and Hanoi overcome their latest South China Sea flashpoint at Vanguard Bank? | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

G, IO: (The Interpreter, 10 Sep 2019)  At sea, safety is just as important as security (lowyinstitute.org)

G, IN, IO: (The Diplomat.com, September 12, 2019) India's Reach in Maritime Domain Awareness: A Hit or Miss for Sri Lanka? – The Diplomat

AS, CH, JP: (Hudson Institute, September 12, 2019) Nightmare Scenario in the South China Sea: Japan's Perspective - by Satoru Nagao (hudson.org)

AS, CH, JP, US: (The Diplomat, September 15, 2019) Why China's Military Wants to Control These 2 Waterways in East Asia – The Diplomat

AS, CH, EU: (South China Morning Post, 15 Sep. 2019) European nations 'determined to stay relevant' in Asia-Pacific, South China Sea | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, CH, IO: (Hellenic Shipping News.com, September 17, 2019) China-run Hambantota port in Sri Lanka links with Thailand's Ranong | Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide

AU, IN: (The Diplomat.com, September 20, 2019) India and Australia Defense Relations: Towards a Common Vision of an Open Indo-Pacific Region? – The Diplomat

CH, PI, US: (South China Morning Post.com, September 21, 2019)  Could ties with Kiribati be a boost to China's space ambitions? | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

G, CH, US: (South China Morning Post, 21 Sep, 2019) How China and the US can avoid going to war, as tensions rise over Xi Jinping's naval ambitions | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

F, G, OT: (The Interpreter, September 23, 2019) Canada's Indo-Pacific pivot | The Interpreter (lowyinstitute.org)

AS, CH: September 24, "Thailand's Perennial Kra Canal Project: Pros, Cons and Potential Game Changers," (The ISEAS –Yusof Ishak Institute, September 24, 2019)
https://www.spf.org/oceans/analysis_ja01/_20190921.html#scrollnavi3

AS, US: (South China Morning Post, 25 Sep. 2019) Singapore renews military bases pact with US amid deepening defence ties with China | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

G, AU, IN, IO, US: (The Interpreter, September 27, 2019) A US view on Australia's role in the Indian Ocean | The Interpreter (lowyinstitute.org)

AS, CH: (South China Morning Post, 27 Sep. 2019) Chinese coastguard ships 'deliberately visible in South China Sea to assert sovereignty' | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

CH, ME: (The Brookings Institution, September 30, 2019) Understanding China's Belt and Road infrastructure projects in Africa (brookings.edu)

G, IO, JP: (Seychelles News Agency, October 4, 2019) High-speed patrol boats among items Seychelles will receive from $ 7 million grant from Japan - Seychelles News Agency

G, AU, CH, PI, US: (South China Morning Post, 4 Oct, 2019) How the US and Australia can counter China's charm offensive in the South Pacific | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, CH, EU: (South China Morning Post.com, October 8, 2019) Philippines' hopes for South China Sea exploration deal with Russia depend on Moscow's ties to China, experts say | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

F, OT: (The Diplomat, October 8, 2019) Brazil's Strategic Expansion in the Indo-Pacific – The Diplomat

AS, CH: (Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, CSIS, October 8, 2019) Drivers and risks of China's pressure on Vietnam | Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (csis.org)

G, CH, JP: (USNI News, October 8, 2019) Chinese Warship Visit to Japan Part of Growing Military Charm Offensive - USNI News

F, CH: (Focus Taiwan, October 8, 2019) China's isolation of Taiwan hinders regional stability: Tsai - Focus Taiwan

F, G, US: (The Strategist, 16 Oct 2019) The paradoxically pacific Indo-Pacific Command | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au)

F, OT: (The Diplomat, October 17, 2019) Brazil is Clueless About the Indo-Pacific – The Diplomat

AS, CH: (South China Moring Post, 17 Oct, 2019) Malaysia must prepare navy for possible conflict in South China Sea, foreign minister warns | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

G, AS: (RSIS Commentary October 16, 2019) Climate Change and Global Warming: Singapore and the Arctic | RSIS

G, AU, PI, US: (The Diplomat, October 18, 2019) Pacific Island Nations Want Partners That Will Help Them Fight Climate Change – The Diplomat

G, CH: (Hudson Institute, October 18, 2019) China's Maritime Strategic Challenge - by Douglas J. Feith (hudson.org)

G, AS, CH, US: (South China Morning Post, 20 Oct, 2019) 'Grey zone' tactics are raising risk of military conflict in the South China Sea, observers say | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

G, AS, CH, US: (South China Morning Post, October 20, 2019) How tighter Philippines-US defence ties contradict Rodrigo Duterte's Beijing-friendly foreign policy | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

G, CH, US: (South China Morning Post, 22 Oct, 2019) Lack of trust between US and China means minor incident could become a 'nightmare', security analysts warn | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, CH, US: (ISEAS/YUSOF ISHAK INSTITUTE, October 24, 2019) "As ASEAN and China Discuss a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea, America Looks on Sceptically" by Ian Storey - ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute

F, AS, AU, CH, EU, JP, US: (The Diplomat, October 24, 2019) Indo-Pacific Conceptions in the Spotlight at China's Xiangshan Forum – The Diplomat

EU, IN: (The Economic Times, October 26, 2019) india france: French President announces 3-pronged security partnership with India for Southern Indian Ocean - The Economic Times (indiatimes.com)

AU, CH, PI, US: (The Strategist, October 28, 2019) The Tulagi turning point | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au)

AS, CH, US: (Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, CSIS, October 30, 2019) Vietnam's Need to Become a Proactive Middle Power | Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (csis.org)

G, CH: (RSIS Commentary, October 30, 2019) Belt and Road Initiative: Why China Pursues It

AS, CH: (The Diplomat.com, November 1, 2019) What Does ASEAN's Evolving Approach to the South China Sea Issue Mean for Vietnam? – The Diplomat

AU, CH, PI, US: (RSIS Commentary, 04 November 2019) The Growing Strategic Significance of Islands | RSIS

IN, IO, CH, US: (The Interpreter, November 5, 2019) India's clever alliances with island states | The Interpreter (lowyinstitute.org)

AS, CH: (Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, CSIS, November 8, 2019) Indonesia as "Global Maritime Fulcrum": A Post-Mortem Analysis | Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (csis.org)

AS, CH, EU: (South China Morning Post, 9 Nov. 2019) Can Beijing use lessons learned by Europe to ease South China Sea tensions? | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

F, US: (Project Syndicate, Nov 12, 2019) America's Feeble Indo-Pacific Strategy by Brahma Chellaney - Project Syndicate (project-syndicate.org)

CH, PI: (The Diplomat, November 15, 2019) China's Pacific Challenge – The Diplomat

G, AU, US: (The National Interest, November 17, 2019) It's Time for a Massive U.S. Navy Base in Australia | The National Interest

CH, IN, IO: (The Diplomat, November 19, 2019) No, Pakistan's Gwadar Port Is Not a Chinese Naval Base (Just Yet) – The Diplomat

G, AU, CH, PI, US: (The Strategist, November 20, 2019) The Great Game in the South Pacific | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au)

G, AU, CH, IN, US: (The Economic Times, November 21, 2019) India's Indo-Pacific Ocean's initiative aims maritime security pillar for inclusive region - The Economic Times (indiatimes.com)

AS, CH: (Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, CSIS, November 21, 2019) Vietnam's Legal Warfare Against China: Prospects and Challenges | Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (csis.org)

CH, PI: (Reuters, November 21, 2019) Tuvalu rejects China offer to build islands and retains ties with Taiwan | Reuters

AS, CH: (Australian Institute of International Affairs, November 21, 2019) Chinese Military Strategic Perspective And Its Military Aims in The South China Sea - Australian Institute of International Affairs - Australian Institute of International Affairs

G, CH, QU: "" (Pacnet, November 22,2019) Beijing's 'Asian NATO' Maxim on Quad is Structural

AS, CH, US: (South China Morning Post, 29 Nov, 2019) Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand: the new frontiers in US-China battle for influence | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

CH, IN, IO: (The Wire, December 5, 2019) India 'Chased' a Chinese Ship from its EEZ but US Intrusions Go Unchallenged (thewire.in)

G, CH, QU: (The Diplomat, December 6, 2019) What Does the New Counterterrorism Exercise Mean for the Quad? – The Diplomat

G, CH, US: (China US Focus.com, December 6, 2019) U.S.-China Decoupling: How Feasible, How Desirable? - David Shambaugh - CHINA US Focus

CH, IN, IO: (South China Morning Post.com, December 7, 2019) Sri Lanka wants its 'debt trap' Hambantota port back. But will China listen? | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

G, CH, US: (South China Morning Post, December 7, 2019) Former Chinese officials warn tensions with US raise risk of 'accidental conflict' | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

G, CH: (Vivekananda International Foundation, December 9, 2019) The Belt and Road Initiative: Is it Viable? | Vivekananda International Foundation (vifindia.org)

AS, CH, JP: (The Diplomat, December 9, 2019) Japan's Options in the South China Sea – The Diplomat

G, IO: (The Interpreter, December 12, 2019) Strength in numbers in the eastern Indian Ocean | The Interpreter (lowyinstitute.org)

F, EU, PI: (East Asia Forum, December 12, 2019) France's Indo-Pacific strategy: inclusive and principled | East Asia Forum

G, AU, CH, PI: (The Strategist, December 16, 2019) Framing the islands: of maps and minds | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au)

F, AS, CH, US: (East Asia Forum, December 17, 2019) A South China Sea cauldron in 2020? | East Asia Forum

F, AS, CH, US: (The STRATEGIST, December 23, 2019) The illusion of a rules-based global order | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au)

AS, CH, QU, US: (Wio News.com, December 26, 2019) South China Sea standoff: Can Quad check China's encroachment?, Opinions & Blogs News | wionews.com

CH, JP, US: (Asia Times, December 26, 2019) In East China Sea, Beijing plays long game - Asia Times

F, AS, CH: (RSIS Commentary, December 30, 2019) How China Sees the Indo-Pacific: What Next After AOIP?

G, AS, CH:(Asia Times, December 30, 2019) China's sea claims to face stiff test in 2020 - Asia Times

2020

CH, IO: (The Diplomat.com, January 1, 2020) The Hambantota Port Deal: Myths and Realities – The Diplomat

AS, CH: (South China Morning Post, January 2, 2020) How Indonesia's South China Sea dispute with Beijing could lead to tough Asean stance on code of conduct | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, CH: (The Diplomat, January 4, 2020) The South China Sea: Preventing the Tyranny of the Commons – The Diplomat

AS, CH: (East Asia Forum, January 7, 2020) Strengthening the ASEAN-centric multilateral security architecture | East Asia Forum

AS, CH: (War on the Rocks.com, January 10, 2020) The Conventional Wisdom on China's Island Bases Is Dangerously Wrong - War on the Rocks

AS, CH: (South China Morning Post.com, January 11, 2020) Can Vietnam unite Asean against Beijing's South China Sea claims? | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, CH: (South China Morning Post, January 12, 2020) Why fishing boats are on the territorial front lines of the South China Sea | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, CH, EU: (The Diplomat, January 14, 2020) Is Germany Considering Maritime Missions in Asia? – The Diplomat

AS, CH: (South China Morning Post, January 15, 2020) China and Indonesia can find common ground over a shared interest: fishing | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, CH: (RSIS Commentary, January 16, 2020) Rising Tensions in Natunas: Test for Indonesia's New Defence Commands | RSIS

G, CH, IN, US: (South China Morning Post.com, January 17, 2020) India and the US over China: Maldives picks a side in the Indian Ocean | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, CH: (South China Morning Post, January 19, 2020) China likely to step up coastguard port calls as part of South China Sea soft power play, analysts say | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, CH: (ASEAN Today.com, January 24, 2020) China-Indonesia South China Sea incident likely a blip in a long-term trend of mutual adjustment | ASEAN Today

AS, CH: (The Interpreter, January 28, 2020) Forging consensus in the South China Sea | The Interpreter (lowyinstitute.org)

AS, CH, US: (South China Morning Post, January 28, 2020) Beijing accuses US of 'deliberate provocations' in South China Sea as warship passes Spratly Islands | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

F, IN, IO: (East Asia Forum, January 31, 2020) India's Northeast is the gateway to greater Indo-Pacific engagement | East Asia Forum

AS, CH: (Nikkei Asian Review, February 3, 2020) ASEAN members start standing up to China's maritime aggression - Nikkei Asia

G, AS, CH, US: (The Interpreter, February 5, 2020) ASEAN: Perceptions of power and security | The Interpreter (lowyinstitute.org)

G, AS, QU: (PacNet, Pacific Forum, CSIS, February 6, 2020) PacNet #6 – Three Scenarios for the Quad and for ASEAN - Pacific Forum (pacforum.org)

CH, US: (Brookings, February 7, 2020) Refocusing the China debate: American allies and the question of US-China "decoupling" (brookings.edu)

CH, IN: (The Strategist, February 7, 2020) What China's coercion at sea means for India | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au)

F, G: (The Diplomat, February 13, 2020) Maritime Security in the Asia-Pacific: Measuring Challenges and Progress – The Diplomat

F, G, CH, US: (Reuters, February 13, 2020) China threatens stability in the Pacific: U.S. commander | Reuters

AS, CH, US: (South China Morning Post, February 16, 2020) Ending Philippines-US military pact will affect South China Sea disputes: analysts | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

G, AS, CH, US: (South China Morning Post.com, February 17, 2020) Whether Trump wins or loses the election, the Asia-Pacific needs a democratic defence against China | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

F, AU, CH, IN, IO, US: (The Interpreter, February 20, 2020) Australia can't continue to divide the Indian Ocean in two | The Interpreter (lowyinstitute.org)

AS, CH, US: (South China Morning Post.com, February 20, 2020) Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam: which defence model will Philippines follow as US ties wither? | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, CH: (South China Morning Post, February 27, 2020) Conflict prevention in the South China Sea depends on China abiding by the existing rules of navigation | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

F, CH, QU: (The Diplomat, February 27, 2020) Trump, in India, Hints at Revitalized 'Quad' Initiative – The Diplomat

CH, EU: March 4, "China and the Mediterranean: Geostrategic Context and Contest," (The Diplomat, Mar 4, 2020)
https://www.spf.org/oceans/analysis_ja01/_20200301.html#scrollnavi2

AS, IN, IO, ME: (The Diplomat, March 4, 2020) The Growing Connectivity Between the Gulf and East Asia – The Diplomat

AS, US: (The Diplomat, March 6, 2020) Cobra Gold 2020: America's Strategic Shift in Southeast Asia – The Diplomat

G, AS, CH: March 8, "Three-way fray spells toil and trouble in South China Sea," (Asia Times, March 8, 2020)
https://www.spf.org/oceans/analysis_ja01/_20200301.html#scrollnavi8

F, AU, CH, US: (The Strategist, March 9, 2020) Coexistence or war in the Indo-Pacific | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au)

AS, CH: March 11, "Malaysia Should Embrace Compliance on Its Overlapping Continental Shelf Claim," (Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, March 11, 2020)
https://www.spf.org/oceans/analysis_ja01/_20200311.html#scrollnavi0

G, AS, CH, US: (South China Morning Post, 12 Mar, 2020) Trump's troop withdrawals are forcing Asia to contemplate a post-US future, particularly in the South China Sea | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

F, CH, IN, US: (East Asia Forum, March 15, 2020) Whither the United States in the Indo-Pacific? | East Asia Forum

AU, PI: (The Strategist, March 16, 2020) Six inquiries on Australia's South Pacific step-up | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au)

AS, CH: (South China Morning Post, 18 Mar, 2020) In disputed South China Sea, Asean claimant states are neither friends nor foes | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, CH: (BREITBART.com, March 23, 2020) China Debuts 'Research Stations' in South China Sea (breitbart.com)

EU, IN: (The Diplomat, March 26, 2020) What's Behind the Rising India-France Maritime Activity in the Indo-Pacific? – The Diplomat

AS, CH, US: (South China Morning Post, 29 Mar, 2020) Beijing may step up drills in South China Sea amid rising tensions with US military, analysts say | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, AU, CH, US: (ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, April 1, 2020) Strategic Divergences: Australia and Maritime Southeast Asia

AU, CH, EU, IO: (The Interpreter, April 7, 2020) A French perspective on Australia's role in the Indian Ocean | The Interpreter (lowyinstitute.org)

AS, CH: (Asia Times.com, April 9, 2020) China leverages Covid-19 crisis in South China Sea - Asia Times

AS, CH: (South China Morning Post, 13 Apr, 2020) This is not the time to add to tensions in South China Sea | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

G, AU, PI: (The Strategist, 14 Apr 2020) It's time for Australia to invoke ANZUS | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au)

AS, CH: (The Diplomat.com, April 17, 2020) The South China Sea in 2020: What to Watch – The Diplomat

G, CH, QU: (Vivekananda International Foundation, April 17, 2020) COVID-19 aftermath: An agenda for QUAD | Vivekananda International Foundation (vifindia.org)

AS, CH: (South China Morning Post, 18 Apr, 2020) Beijing moves to strengthen grip over disputed South China Sea | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, CH: (Inquirer.net, April 20, 2020) PH told to protest 2 new Chinese districts in South China Sea | Global News (inquirer.net)

AS, CH: (The Voice of Vietnam, April 20, 2020) China's East Sea action condemned as "provocative", "illegal" | Báo Công an nhân dân điện tử (cand.com.vn)

AS, CH: (Asia Times.com, April 21, 2020) China lays ever larger claim to South China Sea - Asia Times

AS, CH: (China US Focus, Apr 23, 2020) Another Fishing Incident. Now What? - Ramses Amer & Li Jianwei - CHINA US Focus

G, AS, CH: (Inquirer.net, April 27, 2020) PH urged to go on joint patrols with Malaysia, Vietnam to show united front vs China | Global News (inquirer.net)

F, G, US: (Center for International Maritime Security, April 28, 2020) Human Intelligence: The Missing Piece to Comprehensive Maritime Domain Awareness | Center for International Maritime Security (cimsec.org)

AS, CH: (RSIS Commentary, May 4, 2020) Tensions Rising, Again: South China Sea Disputes 2.0

AS, CH, US: (Foreign Policy.com, May 4, 2020) U.S. Naval Standoff With China Fails to Reassure Regional Allies

AS, CH: (Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, CSIS, May 6, 2020) Fishing While the Water is Muddy: China's newly announced administrative districts in the South China Sea | Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (csis.org)

AS, CH, US: (South China Morning Post, 9 May, 2020) Why the US continues to stir up the South China Sea despite the Covid-19 body blow | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

G, QU: (Vivekananda International Foundation, May 14, 2020) COVID-19 Opens up Pressures and Opportunities for Quad | Vivekananda International Foundation (vifindia.org)

AS, CH, US: (South China Morning Post, 17 May, 2020) Why is the US escalating its presence in the South China Sea amid the coronavirus pandemic? | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

F, US: (The Hill.com, May22, 2020) Boosting military deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region | TheHill

AU, IN, IO: (The Interpreter, 22 May 2020) Islands of opportunity: Where India and Australia can work together | The Interpreter (lowyinstitute.org)

AS, CH: (The Interpreter, May 27, 2020) Another pearl in China's string? (lowyinstitute.org)

F, US: (War on the Rocks.com, May 28, 2020) The Pacific Deterrence Initiative: Peace Through Strength in the Indo-Pacific - War on the Rocks

G, CH, US: (Military Balance Blog, IISS, May 29, 2020) Great-power competition and COVID-19 | Free IISS analysis

AS, CH: (South China Morning Post.com, May 30, 2020) Beijing's plans for South China Sea air defence identification zone cover Pratas, Paracel and Spratly islands, PLA source says | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, CH: (USNI News, June 3, 2020) New Air Bases, Baby Cabbage Key to Chinese Long-Term Claims in South China Sea - USNI News

G, CH, US: (The Diplomat, June 3, 2020) The 3 Flashpoints That Could Turn a US-China 'Cold War' Hot – The Diplomat

AU, IN, IO: (Financial Express.com, June 4, 2020) India – Australia: Indo-Pacific maritime powers ink MLSA for access to military bases - The Financial Express

AS, CH, US: (South China Morning Post.com, June 5, 2020) Philippines' move to keep US military pact reveals shift in South China Sea calculations | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, CH: (Benar News, June 5, 2020) Indonesia Rejects Beijing's Offer for South China Sea Talks — BenarNews

AS, CH: (Benar News, June 8, 2020) China Works on Undersea Cables between Paracel Island Outposts — BenarNews

G, PI: (The Strategist, 11 Jun 2020) Disaster risk reduction a matter of survival in the Pacific | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au)

F, CH, US: (South China Morning Post, June 12 2020) US navy patrols Indo-Pacific for first time in three years, as US-China tensions deepen | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, CH: (South China Sea Probing Initiative (SCSPI), June 15, 2020) Is China Ready for a Second South China Sea Arbitration? | 南海战略态势感知计划 (scspi.org)

AS, CH, US: (South China Morning Post, 16 Jun, 2020) China-US close encounters 'raise conflict risk in South China Sea' | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

G, CH, US: (The Diplomat.com, June 19, 2020) Why a US-China Détente Is Coming in 2021: The COVID-19 Factor and the Turn Inward – The Diplomat

CH: (Nikkei Asian Review.com, June 21, 2020) China adds military might to coast guard in maritime push - Nikkei Asia

CH, IN, IO: (The Indian Express.com, June 23, 2020) There is a pressing need for India to develop a comprehensive Underwater Domain Awareness strategy | The Indian Express

AS, CH: (Benar News, June 24, 2020) US Watching if Beijing Declares Air Defense Zone in South China Sea — BenarNews

CH, IN, IO: (Forbes.com, June 26, 2020) Chinese Navy Submarines Could Become A Reality In Indian Ocean (forbes.com)

CH, IN, IO: (The Strategist, June 26, 2020) Will the India–China border conflict lead to a naval war? | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au)

CH, IN, JP: (South China Morning Post, 29 Jun, 2020) India-Japan naval exercises: a message for China? | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, CH: (The Diplomat, June 29, 2020) Pay Attention to China's 'Blue Sea 2020' Project – The Diplomat

AS, CH, US: (South China Morning Post, 29 Jun, 2020) The US dream of South China Sea hegemony will only lead to conflict with Beijing | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, CH, US: (The Diplomat, June 30, 2020) U.S. Navy 'Dual Carrier Operations' Send Message to China, Allies – The Diplomat

CH, IO: (South Asia Analysis Group, 3-July-2020) China's Indian Ocean Dilemma; By Balasubramanian C | C3S India | Chennai Centre for China Studies

AS, CH, US: (South China Morning Post, 5 Jul, 2020) Operation Bashi Channel: the next flashpoint in the China-US military rivalry | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, CH: (The Strategist, 6 Jul 2020) This is no time to take eyes off the South China Sea | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au)

F, CH, IN, IO: (The Indian Express, July 7, 2020) China sees Indo-Pacific idea in terms of balance of power, not for advancing common interests | The Indian Express

G, CH, AU: (East Asia Forum, July 9, 2020) Australia's new defence geography | East Asia Forum

G, AU, JP: (East Asia Forum, July 9, 2020) Australia's new defence geography | East Asia Forum

G, CH: (The Diplomat.com, July 10, 2020) Multilateralism With Chinese Characteristics: Bringing in the Hub-and-Spoke – The Diplomat

AU, IN, IO: (The Diplomat, July 15, 2020) Will India Invite Australia to the Malabar Naval Exercise? – The Diplomat

F, EU: (Defence Connect.com, July 15, 2020) Rule Britannia: Royal Navy commits to Indo-Pacific carrier deployment - Defence Connect

AU, EU: (The Strategist, July 17, 2020) Australia's growing defence relationship with France | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au)

JP, US: (The Hill, July 17, 2020) Are US-Japan relations on the rocks? | TheHill

AS, CH, US: (Nikkei Asian Review.com, July 17, 2020) US to strengthen electronic-warfare abilities in South China Sea - Nikkei Asia

AS, CH, US: (South China Morning Post.com, July 18, 2020) Washington's double standards clear as it wades into South China Sea dispute | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, CH, US: (The Diplomat, July 18, 2020) The Risk of Too Many Freedom of Navigation Operations – The Diplomat

AS, CH, US: (China US Focus, July 20, 2020) Disturbing Changes in South China Sea - Wu Shicun - CHINA US Focus

G: (Center for International Maritime Security, CSIS) Stand Up A Joint Interagency Task Force To Fight Illegal Fishing | Center for International Maritime Security (cimsec.org)

AS, CH, US: (Aspenia Online, July 22, 2020) Beleaguered hegemon: How Washington tries to preserve strategic primacy in East Asia – Aspenia Online

G, AS, CH, US: (The Strategist, 27 Jul 2020) Covid-19 accelerates maritime insecurity in the Asia–Pacific | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au)

AU, PI: (The Strategist, 27 Jul 2020) Four South Pacific futures | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au)

F, EU, QU: (Vivekananda International Foundation, July 28, 2020) Indo-Pacific in a Churn: Too many Naval Exercises | Vivekananda International Foundation (vifindia.org)

G, CH: (The Diplomat, July 28, 2020) The Environmental Costs of China's Maritime Ambition – The Diplomat

AS, CH: (China US Focus.com, July 29, 2020) Beijing's South China Sea Policy Generates Growing Regional Pushback and Deterrence - Lucio Blanco Pitlo III - CHINA US Focus

AS, CH: August 3, "Brunei, ASEAN and the South China Sea," (The Interpreter, August 3, 2020)
https://www.spf.org/oceans/analysis_ja01/_20200801.html#scrollnavi0

AS, CH, US: (The South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative (SCSPI), August 4, 2020) US Close-in Reconnaissance over the South China Sea Increased Sharply in July | 南海战略态势感知计划 (scspi.org)

G, AS: (ISEAS Commentary, ISEAS-YUSOF ISHAK Institute, 6 August 2020) Will Covid-19 Trigger a Tsunami of Maritime Crime in Southeast Asia? - ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute

G, CH, US: (The Hill, August 6, 2020) The US military has options against China | TheHill

AU, CH, PI: (The Interpreter, August 7, 2020) A Chinese-built airport next door to a key Australia-US naval base? (lowyinstitute.org)

G, CH: August 10, "Chinese trawlers in the Galapagos: The protection challenge," (The Interpreter, August 10, 2020)
https://www.spf.org/oceans/analysis_ja01/_20200801.html#scrollnavi8

AS, CH, US: (South China Morning Post, August 11, 2020) South China Sea: Chinese military told not to fire first shot in stand-off with US forces | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

AS, CH, JP: (The Japan Times, August 11, 2020) Japan and Vietnam ink first maritime patrol ship deal as South China Sea row heats up | The Japan Times

AS, CH: (The Diplomat.com, August 14, 2020) Thailand's Deep South Insurgencies: Exploiting the Maritime Domain  – The Diplomat

AS, CH: (The Diplomat.com, August 14, 2020) Why Doesn't China Deploy Fighter Jets to the Spratly Islands? – The Diplomat

G, CH, US: (U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings, August 2020) The Crozier Affair through Chinese Eyes | Proceedings - August 2020 Vol. 146/8/1,410 (usni.org)

AS, CH, IN: (Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, CSIS, August 21, 2020) Time to Forge India-Vietnam Defense Ties | Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (csis.org)

CH, IN, IO: (South Asia Analysis Group, August 22, 2020) Maldives: Countering Chinese Challenges in Indian Ocean (indiandefencereview.com)

AS, CH: (Benar News, August 25, 2020) China Wins Seat at International Tribunal for Law on the Sea — BenarNews

AS, CH, OT: (South China Morning Post, August 28, 2020) China Wins Seat at International Tribunal for Law on the Sea — BenarNews

F, CH, QU: (The Diplomat.com, September 4, 2020) How China Strengthens the Quad – The Diplomat

AS, CH: (The ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, September 8, 2020) India's Obsession With Thailand's Kra Canal: Much Ado About Nothing - ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute

AS, CH, US: (Asia Times, September 8, 2020) China flexes new dual-carrier prowess at US - Asia Times

AU, CH, PI: (The Diplomat, September 9, 2020) How China and Taiwan Became 'Pawns' in Solomon Islands' Internal Dispute – The Diplomat

AS, CH: (Benar News, September 11, 2020) China Arrests Drug Traffickers in South China Sea — BenarNews

G, CH, PI: (The Strategist, September 11, 2020) China expands its island-building strategy into the Pacific | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au)

G, IN, JP: (The Diplomat, September 12, 2020) India and Japan Sign Military Logistics Agreement for All to See – The Diplomat

F, AS, CH, US: (Nikkei Asian Review, September 13, 2020) US Indo-Pacific strategy is working, mainly thanks to China - Nikkei Asia

F, CH, EU: (The Diplomat, September 15, 2020) Germany's Indo-Pacific Vision: A New Reckoning With China or More Strategic Drift? – The Diplomat

G, AU, CH: (The Strategist, September 15, 2020) A belt and road by any other name: Government must review Darwin Port lease | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au)

F, AU, EU, IN: (The Diplomat.com, September 17, 2020) Rise of the Minilaterals: Examining the India-France-Australia Trilateral – The Diplomat

F, AU, CH, PI: (Center for International Maritime Security, September 17, 2020) A South Pacific Island-Led Approach to Regional Maritime Security | Center for International Maritime Security (cimsec.org)

F, CH, EU: September 21, "US-led coalition encircling China's sea ambitions," (Asia Times.com, September 21, 2020)
https://www.spf.org/oceans/analysis_ja01/_20200921.html#scrollnavi0

G, AU: (Pacific Forum Issues & Insights, September 22, 2020) Issues & Insights Vol. 20, WP 5 – Securing the Sonobuoy Supply Chain: How Australia Can Help Underwrite Anti-Submarine Warfare Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific - Pacific Forum (pacforum.org)

AS, CH, US: (The Interpreter, 22 Sep 2020) The South China Sea map that wasn't (lowyinstitute.org)

G, AS, CH: September 25, "Global Health Security: COVID-19 and Its Impacts – Chinese Military Expansion: Slowing but Not Stopping," (RSIS Commentary, September 25, 2020)
https://www.spf.org/oceans/analysis_ja01/_20200921.html#scrollnavi5

G, CH, PI, US: (East Asia Forum, September 25, 2020) US–China rivalry ramps up pressure on the Pacific islands | East Asia Forum

AS, CH: (The ISEAS -Yusof Ishak Institute, September 28, 2020) Will China Establish Military Bases in Southeast Asia? - ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute

AS, CH: (Analyzing War, September 28, 2020) China's South China Sea Woes May Boost Momentum for a Code of Conduct - Analyzing War

AS, CH: (The Diplomat.com, September 28, 2020) The Code of Conduct for the South China Sea: A Long and Bumpy Road – The Diplomat