Macron's visit to China this year was not in vain, just because of this sentence: Japan | NATO | Macron
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Who is the real leader among European leaders?
Different people must have different answers. But French President Macron is increasingly showing this. Especially with his recent words, my first impression is that his trip to China this year was not in vain.
Why do you say that?
Because on the sensitive issue of the NATO Japan Liaison Office, Macron bravely stepped forward and said a fair word.
According to a report by the Financial Times, Macron believes that NATO should not expand beyond the North Atlantic. He warns, "If we push NATO to expand its spectrum and geographical scope, we will make a big mistake."
Please note: major error.
Who is the target of NATO's establishment of a liaison office in Japan?
I believe everyone understands.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin stated that NATO has repeatedly publicly stated that its positioning as a regional alliance has not changed and it does not seek geographical breakthroughs. Asia is not within the geographical scope of the North Atlantic and does not require the establishment of the so-called "Asia Pacific version of NATO". However, NATO is persistent in advancing eastward into the Asia Pacific, intervening in regional affairs, and provoking factions to confront. What is the intention of this?
But the United States wants to expand eastward, and Japan wants to join.
NATO's liaison office in Japan is also considered as NATO's first outpost in the Asia Pacific region.
This blatant provocation has silenced other countries, but France can't bear it anymore.
The Financial Times quoted a French official as saying that France believes that according to the requirements of the NATO Charter, the geographical scope of the alliance is limited to the "North Atlantic".
The official also said that when facing China, especially when the West demands that China not provide weapons to Russia, NATO will extend its "tentacles" to the Asia Pacific region, which is likely to damage Europe's "credibility" on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
I believe that although it is not recognized on the surface, many European countries actually know that an important reason for the Russia-Ukraine conflict is the eastward expansion of NATO, which has triggered a strong rebound in Russia. As a result, Europe became the biggest culprit.
Leaving such a mess in Europe and now reaching out to the Asia Pacific and NATO, what do you really want to do?
Of course, this is a disclosure by Western media, and the ultimate truth is still unknown. I don't know if France will persist to the end, it's just a bargaining gesture with the United States.
But if that were the case, according to NATO's decision-making mechanism, without France's consent, the Japanese liaison office would undoubtedly fail.
Why is Macron doing this?
I think at least one thing is certain, this year's trip to China has given him a great shock and reflection.
You should know that during his time in China, he told Chinese leaders with great emotion that our two countries have similar temperaments.
What kind of temper?
Not willing to listen to other people's advice.
Who can point fingers at France in this world?
That's the only superpower left.
So, the fast-paced Macron also said many things that Europeans wanted to say but dared not.
This is where Macron stands out, but what makes me even more moved is that having Macron express such opinions clearly shows China's diplomatic art.
I remember back then in Guangzhou, the Chinese side even arranged for a female qin player to play "High Mountains and Flowing Water".
This arrangement surprised and surprised Macron. I have said before that I believe in the profound connotation of this Chinese ancient song, and when Macron returns, he can fully appreciate it.
High mountains and flowing water hide their profound meaning.
What is diplomatic art?
This is the art of diplomacy.
Of course, the world is complex, and we must remain calm and clear headed.
Calmness is something we must see. Europe and America are not one piece, and there are also sharp differences and contradictions; Being clear headed means that we should listen to what is said and observe what is done. However, the West is still the West, and we should not have unrealistic illusions. The United States will definitely not give up easily.
But while the United States is conducting comprehensive containment, containment, and suppression against me, Europe maintaining strategic autonomy, maintaining a fair position, and distancing itself from the United States will definitely not be a bad thing for China.
So, we must be prepared for the worst, but we must do our best to fight for it. To unite all those who can be united, and to do one's own things well. Make more friends and fewer enemies.
Why fear such a China?
Macron's latest statement on the NATO issue is highly commendable. This is a France with independent thinking and achievements.
But does Macron have the courage to persevere to the end? I don't know either, let's not be too optimistic, let's just wait and see.
If one day NATO really sets up an outpost in Japan, will we be afraid?
