America’s reservations were certainly taken by officials in the region, however, as admonitions to steer clear(避开) of the AIIB. They were enough, at first, to discourage some of its closest Asian allies from joining the initial 21 founding members. Australia, Japan and South Korea all stayed out—though other staunch (忠诚的)American friends such as New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand signed up. The joiners argue that China was going to launch the AIIB anyway; better to be on the inside influencing its governance. The Europeans’ accession is likely to encourage changes of heart among the refuseniks(抗议者). Australia has already indicated it is reconsidering; South Korea seems almost certain to join.