During the latest G-7 summit in Japan, leaders reaffirmed their opposition to China, mentioning the country 20 times in their communiqué. Former director of cybersecurity policy, strategy, and international affairs at the Department of Defense, John Mills, believes that this statement is long overdue. The leaders acknowledged the rising challenge posed by China, but Mills wonders if their remarks are too late to deter China from war. The G-7 leaders also expressed their preparedness to maintain “constructive and stable” relations with China while addressing the country’s market-distorting economic practices, stating their commitment to counter malign practices like illegitimate technology transfer and data disclosure. The leaders also opposed China’s militarization and maritime claims over the South China Sea, which they claim have “no legal basis.” Mills cited the United States’ renewed agreement with the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and Palau, known as the Compact of Free Association (COFA), as a step towards countering China. Under COFA, the United States provides economic aid to FSM, Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands in exchange for permission to operate defense bases on their territories. The renewed agreement allows the US to disperse its facility and to use deception operations to build deterrence against China.