China’s assertiveness has alarmed many of its neighbours. Does a foot stamping foreign policy risk creating a counter-coalition?
China ushered in the year of the rabbit in a buoyant mood. Prices of high-end commodities rose sharply – not, it seems, because of a spike in food prices, but because there are so many people with spare cash to spend. Internationally, meanwhile, China’s rapid recovery from the global financial crisis, its successful test of the J-20 stealth plane, and the achievements of its athletes and artists have all served to create an image of China as the power to emulate in much of the world.
This optimistic mood has been reflected in China’s increasingly assertive behaviour on the international stage. China has moved from being a rule-breaker in the 1950s – one trying to overturn the world order – to a rule-maker in the 21st century, seeking to modify the world order in ways meant to ensure its continued prosperity. And, while there are certainly similarities between the two periods, there is also a crucial difference – China now has the economic and military power to back up its aspirations.
As is to be expected when a state gains power rapidly, the international community has reacted to China’s rise with a mix of envy and fear, as well as admiration. Beijing hasn’t been shy about taking advantage of its new clout – and most states have been quick to comply. Last September, for example, the Japan Coast Guard took a Chinese fishing boat captain into custody after his vessel rammed two of its ships. Beijing demanded – and got – his release. Among the pressures Beijing brought to bear were a cessation of rare earth exports to Japan (since resumed on a reduced basis); subjecting Japanese exports to agonizingly slow inspection procedures at customs checkpoints; and the arrest of several Japanese nationals – all enough to pressure Japan to comply with its demands. Just to be sure, China also announced that henceforth its own ships would patrol the areas near the disputed Diaoyu/Senkaku islands, which are claimed by China but held by Japan.
It’s not only Japan that has fallen foul of China’s assertiveness. Beijing has forbidden Vietnamese fishermen from entering an area it contests jurisdiction over, and has also become more active in pressing its border disputes with India. Indeed, Indian analysts saw a coded message for their country when, two days before Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao was to arrive in New Delhi, Gen. Lo Yuan stated that China must recover territories ‘looted’ by its neighbours.
Citing the disconnect between the Chinese having the second highest gross domestic product in the world and what he termed the as yet unresolved issue of national unification, Lo also implicitly questioned the wisdom of his country’s declared policy of a peaceful rise: ‘some people like to resort to peaceful means to solve all questions (but) we have to think of potential dangers in times of peace…Some army personnel are becoming slack (and) too accustomed to this comfortable pacifism.’
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Leonard L.
The US is at war with China now. It has been at war with China since the mid-1990’s. The war hasn’t turned hot yet, because the US responses have been very restrained. That needs to stop. America needs to respond in kind to China’s provocations.
China has launched cyber-attacks against the US Government. It has knocked a Navy plane from the sky. It has harrassed US ships. It is designing a missile to attack US carriers. Its generals have threatened to nuke US cities….And then there is Lang Lang’s little tune at the White House Dinner.
The US needs to take this out of the hands of its diplomats and give it to the Pentagon. The war has already started and it will turn hot sooner – rather than later.
Oh yeah, and the US should put Little Lang Lang on the first plane back to China.
Daksha Nyshadham
Mr. John Chan and Mr. Harry can you name China’s all weather friends and allies to our readers. Let the readers judge the quality of your friends and allies. Mr. Harry you are criticizing Indian Democracy being 45 percent of voters are illiterate and rural voters. Rural voters are manipulated for voting purposes. In India in spite of poverty and illiteracy, Voters in general voted on the basis of issues. Lot of Parties won and lost elections based on Issues. India’s Stalwart leader, Indira Gandhi in 1977 lost her own elections. She had all the opportunities to manipulate the election system and lost the elections. She accepted the people’s verdict. For all the discrepancies, India is still considered as Model Democracy for third world countries. We are not perfect or near perfect democracy in the world. China is considered as Model Totalitarian Country for all the Dictatorships. Indian Armed forces never interfered in Political System. In general, India is considered as Stable countries. China likes instability and it mollycoddling with all the Rogue and Failed Nations. China’s all weather friend and Known epic center of terrorism Pakistan is ruled by Army generals for most part of the country’s existence. Mr. Harry, Indian Democracy will last longer than Chinese Communist Party. I am ready to challenge Mr. Harry regarding my assertion. Mr. Harry, can you think of Multi Party Election in China in your life time? In general, Chinese Communist Party (CCP) killed more of its own citizens in twentieth century than all the people killed by the rest of world. Mr. John Chan, Can you deny the fact regarding CCP killing its own people?
John Chan
To all the John Chan haters, how much my comments are offending you, that’s equivalent to how much your comments are offending in the eyes of Chinese. I just returned the favour what you have dished out against China. Remember, an action always accompanies with a reaction. Meaningful discussions can only be done by including the views from other side of the issue. Your facts can be lies in the eyes of other readers, nobody can monopolize truth.
Johnny
John Chan posted “To all the John Chan haters, how much my comments are offending you, that’s equivalent to how much your comments are offending in the eyes of Chinese. I just returned the favour what you have dished out against China.”
So you are openly acknowledging that you are a troll/flamer. And no, nobody hates you as we don’t know you. Only thing we know is your origin country is China and we form an opinion of your country based on your and other chinese comments.