The strategy of the Trump administration in the western Pacific region has led to obvious patching-up behaviours by both Japan and South Korea when it comes to their relationship with China. In South Asia, we're seeing India demonstrating similar patterns of behaviours as well. This almost release of the international system or the international space provides China with the alternative model and the alternative paths to claim China's leadership in these spaces.
On March 9th, 2020. See this statement in context.