In an interview with the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, Foad Izadi, referring to the US strategies to deal with China in East Asia and emphasizing that China is trying hard to avoid conflict with the US, stated that China has become the most important threat and rival of the US in various industries, and the strategy of the US to counter this advancement is to try to produce and promote anti-Chinese literature in that area.

He added that in all issues, including environmental issues, human rights, political issues, and international trade, negative literature against China is promoted, and “when we review those texts, it seems that all the world’s problems are caused by the Chinese government”.

He stated that the American government has decided to use all the tools in its hand against Beijing, adding that the use of China’s neighboring countries is another strategy by the US to counter China.

Izadi said that the US is trying to challenge the relations of these countries with China, and we have seen the consequences of the coalitions that have taken place.

“The US strategy is to use political, economic and propaganda tools against China and to intensify Sinophobia by making the Chinese government look like a rebel because balancing coalitions are formed only in response to the “feeling of threat” and not simply to increase “power””.

Reminding that we are witnessing a hybrid war against China by the United States, similar to what it is doing in the Persian Gulf and against Iran, this professor of international relations said that of course, because of this country’s nuclear weapons, the White House cannot threaten Beijing with a military war.

Regarding the approach of China’s neighboring countries towards creating tension and forming a coalition against the US, Izadi noted that in order to face the new conditions and prevent China from becoming the only leading power in Asia, the United States should adopt a power balance policy against the increasing influence and growth of China’s power and in this framework we witness the establishment of US military and security relations with the countries of the region and the commitment of China’s neighbors to Washington.

He emphasized that the signing of defense-security agreements between the United States and regional allies, economic war and the increase of trade tariffs against Beijing, interference in domestic issues, economic and technological sanctions, the continuous holding of exercises in disputed waters between this country and its neighbors can all be examined in this direction.

Referring to China’s efforts to modernize and develop its naval and air forces, Izadi explained that Washington believes that the modernization of China’s naval and air forces is done with the aim of putting China in a position of “inaccessibility” so that it can deny US access to maritime areas close to its coasts.

“Continuous non-access capabilities, in combination with other military capabilities, allow the Chinese military to reduce the influence of the US military in its calculations and interests in the Pacific and, if necessary, to exert its political will without direct conflict with the US military in maritime disputes with Japan and other neighbors, and more importantly, to impose on Taiwan”.

Stating that China’s military capabilities are a major factor in changing the military balance in East Asia, this university professor added that in order to prevent the increase of China’s influence in the East Asia region, the US is trying to make the countries of the region dependent on it while establishing military capabilities to prevent China from becoming a regional hegemon.

Izadi said that the US has sought to form the Indo-Pacific axis to counter China’s rise to power, military cooperation with India and Japan in the Indian Ocean, and political cooperation to maintain international norms for freedom of navigation, as well as to increase political pressure on Beijing.

“With the rise of China’s power, it is natural for East and Southeast Asian countries to engage in an arms race or place themselves in the shadow of a stronger foreign power, as we see the increase in military cooperation between India, Singapore, Australia, Taiwan, Japan and Thailand with the United States. In addition, the US has created a network of military alliances around Taiwan and important waterways in the Indian Ocean. In the meantime, Taiwan and Singapore, by creating an alliance with the US Navy, play an important role in the conditions of a possible war between the US and China to close the oil transit routes to China.”

This university professor continued that China believes that the US is trying to make North Korea weak and passive by changing the security environment of East Asia, prevent Russia’s power and form a regional security system centered on itself with the participation of Japan, South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines and Taiwan.

He stated that the change in the balance of power in East Asia in favor of China has strengthened the foundations of the alliance between the United States and Japan. Regarding the prospects of relations between China’s neighbors and this country, he stated that countries have realized that the US power is declining, so we are witnessing the steps taken by US former allies to strengthen relations with China. They know that the US cannot play a role in the field of international relations as it did in the past because of the many problems it has faced and the priority of competing with China, and it is not a reliable country.

According to Izadi, China’s neighboring countries, realizing the consequences of a conflict with China, do not want to enter into a conflict with this country. In fact, they try not to be on the side of any power in critical moments, and they do not accept the US thinking that countries are either with the US or against it.

He said that the US has not yet understood how it should go through the period of decline and manage its declining power. Therefore, taking into account our short-term interests, we are now witnessing actions by the United States that accelerate its decline.