One of the most pressing stories in the East Asia and Oceania region is that of Hong Kong, China, and to a lesser extent, the concentration camps for the Uyghurs. The way China handles their own humans rights abuses and their trade war with the United States affects their relations with the Western countries their economy depends on exporting to, which leads to some discomfort and tension in world relations. China, seeking to become a global power, needs to reconcile their expansionist and totalitarian methods with the rest of the world.
For example, China recently cancelled a human rights partnership with Australia, one of their biggest partners. While Australia exports minerals to China, and Australians often buy many of China’s cheap goods and accept immigrants from the nation, this breakdown in relations could eventually lead to stronger anti-china sentiment in Australia, pushing many of the regions allies further towards the US. Australian ministers have stated that diplomatic relations with China are the lowest they’ve ever been, and Australian exports have been delayed.
Similarly, the ethnic oppression of the Uyghurs in Western China may push many of the countries in the Middle East to eventually the support the US. While many of the Islamic nations that have the clout to harm China are also in China’s pocket, ethnic identity is a powerful force that could potentially cause nations in the region to switch alliances.
In response to China’s aggresion, the US is still challenging Chinese hegemony in the region, both by reestablishing its commitment to (an economy) in the region by signing the USJTA after pulling out of the TPP earlier this year, further pressuring with their trade war and continuing to try to ensure that the US can remain the dominant economic power in the region. Ensuring US exports can remain tariff free while being able to further negotiate other tariff reductions strengthens the connection between the US and Japan, one of China’s main threats in the region. Militarily, the US has also been pressuring China by continuing to sail ships through the South China Sea, establishing “Freedom of Navigation” and ensuring that China cannot control one of the world’s most important shipping lanes, parts of which are claimed by many nations in the region.
China’s Hong Kong crisis has also may have more international effects than just affecting relations. Other city states in the region, namely Singapore, are concerned about the violence, unrest, and pro democracy movements, especially because of Singapore’s questionable anti-democracy actions recently, specifically with limitations to first amendment rights in free speech, rights to assembly, and freedom of press. These pro democracy sentiments can potentially spread across the region, not only affecting Singapore but even eventually start to crack at the authoritarian hold of China’s outer regions, such as Macau.