Thursday, February 23, 2012
US Asia-Pacific strategy brings steep price
Global Times | November 18, 2011 01:10
By Global Times
Share  E-mail   Print Comments(24)

The latest East Asia Summit will be held on November 19 in Bali, Indonesia. Taking it to signify its return to Asia-Pacific, the US seeks to turn the Summit into a forum concerning the South China Sea dispute. China has showed strong opposition to this move.

Coupled with strengthened US-Australia and US-Philippines military alliances, this move is only a part of US new Asia-Pacific strategy. These acts bring great pressure to China and it is now expected that China will take some countermeasures.

The US is carrying out smart power diplomacy that takes China as its target in Asia. Stopping it is not realistic, but it is equally unrealistic to expect China to stand idly by and indulge Asian countries as they join the US alliance to guard against China one by one. Confronted with such frictions, which has the most resources and means at its disposal? Is an all-out confrontation possible? These should be the real concerns.

A prominent change is that the US is intensifying action in the Asia-Pacific region and is encouraging China's neighboring countries to challenge China. This is a new application of soft power.

If an "anti-China alliance" is really built in Asia, the US should provide more economic benefits to its followers. It should convince those countries that joining the US is more profitable. Only providing verbal support for sovereignty issues in disputed waters and signing agreements to provide security protection is far from enough. 

A new impetus for economic growth is absent from the stagnant US economy. Its strategic demand to contain China conflicts with the realistic view of using China to stimulate economic recovery.

The strategic nature of competition between China and the US in the Asia-Pacific will be murky for the time being. However, China has gained more stakes when dealing with the US. It is hard to say whether the US holds more advantages in China's neighboring area. The potential for economic cooperation between China and its neighboring countries is great. China should learn to use this to protect its political interests. Any country which chooses to be a pawn in the US chess game will lose the opportunity to benefit from China's economy. This will surely make US protection less attractive.

Naval disputes are only a small part of East Asian affairs. The US and other countries seek to defend private interests by taking advantage of them. As long as China increases its input, it will make countries either pay the price for their decision or make them back the doctrine of solving maritime disputes through cooperation.  

East Asian affairs should be handled under the coordination of relevant countries. No one dominant force is wanted. China has more resources to oppose the US ambition of dominating the region than US has to fulfill it. As long as China is patient, there will no room for those who choose to depend economically on China while looking to the US to guarantee their security. 


 E-mail   Print   


Posted in: Editorial

Follow @globaltimesnews on , become a fan on Facebook


Comments

Edwin89
# Edwin89
Thursday, November 24, 2011 11:16 PM
In regularly reading online news sources from around the world one eventually begins to see patterns which reveal their personalities. Some work to tell you the news while others are used as insrtuments of propaganda - carefully crafting stories designed to scare and manipulate its readers under a guise of news with journalistic integrity. Don't make the mistake of depending one news source alone to learn about the world; especially one whose aims are not to tell you like it is but how they would like you to see it.
Kevin in London
# Kevin in London
Wednesday, November 23, 2011 12:24 PM
China must rapidly developing it's intercontinential Ballistic Missile (ICBM) accuracy, mobile launch platform (from land, air and sea) and destructive force.
Without a powerful, mobile and massive ICBM deterrence, US would continue
to hold naval exercises in China's front door-- yellow sea.
Doggy
# Doggy
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 7:03 PM
I agree with Malaysian, each country will try its best to bring the most benefit for its people. Hey, so USA. It is a mutual benefit, no country is stupid. CN should learn this principal...
Doggy
# Doggy
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 7:03 PM
I agree with Malaysian, each country will try its best to bring the most benefit for its people. Hey, so USA. It is a mutual benefit, no country is stupid. CN should learn this principal...
KVS
# KVS
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 5:26 PM
I can see that the article points out that China can severe economic link to those countries who go into pacts with US. Thus these countires will loose access into Chinese markets.
This would have been fine except ifor the fact that if Indian Markets get thwon open to the same people. It's quite easy to forget that India too is a billion plus population country and has the potential to become a huge market.
In terms of development I guess India is about 9-10 years behind China so there is more scope for improvement and thus more scope for better returns on investment. I know it's going to be tough but hey when you guys can do it so can we.

So all in all Chinese move of dumping countries economically might backfire. My point is Nothing is certain so no side can be sure of winning it all as chinese papers seem to predict all so often.
phipher
# phipher
Monday, November 21, 2011 9:37 AM
None of is neighbor of China, it's still fresh to me how Vietnam successfully kick the ass of Pol pot regime and his Khmer Rouge dogs of China. China is more happier on transforming each country on her boundary to be her subordinate rather than treating them as neighbors. So none of us is neighbor of China.
phipher
# phipher
Monday, November 21, 2011 9:21 AM
As if the author in this article saying that Mighty China will crush all neighboring countries that support US by means of economic protest. Ignores the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, South Korea, Japan, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, Australia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Burma, Laos, New Zealand, India and Europeans.

Possible China's supporter- North Korea, Pakistan

Who do you think will gonna win this time in terms of economy? Are you thinking enough?
vokoyo
# vokoyo
Monday, November 21, 2011 3:17 AM






釣魚島問題專家、香港中文大學亞太研究所研究員鄭海麟從釣魚台列嶼的歷史地位切入,直指釣魚島隸屬中國毫無疑義。他指出,中日兩國大量歷史文獻表明,最早發現、命名和使用釣魚台列嶼的是中國人,而不是琉球人或日本人。釣魚島列嶼並不屬於「舊琉球王朝的勢力所及範圍」,該列嶼在明朝便被納入中國海防及行政管制區域。

一九五一年的《舊金山(三藩市)合約》根本沒有涉及釣魚台列嶼的主權問題。一九五二年美國託管當局將釣魚島列嶼劃入琉球列島地理境界的經緯度內,是極不適當和不合國際法的。因此,日本聲稱擁有該列嶼主權在國際法上不能成立。

中國大陸學者近年來對釣魚島議題的研究下了很大工夫。清華大學當代國際關係研究院副院長劉江永教授指出,事實證明日本早在甲午戰爭前十年已知釣魚台列嶼屬於中國。

日外務省當年編撰的《日本外交文書》第十八卷和第二十三卷中,對明治政府竊取釣魚島的決策過程有非常詳實的記載。換言之,釣魚台列嶼是日本乘甲午戰爭之機,未等簽署馬關條約而從中國竊取的。如今,日方稱其與馬關條約,即甲午戰爭無關,根本站不住腳。

二戰後釣魚島問題懸而未決與美國介入密不可分。劉江永指出,一九七一年美國擅自決定將釣魚島的行政管轄權交給日本政府,遭到全球華人的強烈反對,掀起保釣浪潮,迫使美國迄今迄未承認日本擁有釣魚島的主權,而希望中日雙方和平協商解決。然而,二零一零年以來美國政府多次明確表示,釣魚島適用於美日安保條約第五條,「這是造成日本政府在釣魚島問題上有恃無恐採取強硬做法的重要外部因素」。

事實上,東京法院曾經判定釣魚島屬於台北州。台灣光復前一年,台灣與琉球為釣魚島發生歸屬權之爭,當時該法院將釣魚台列嶼判決為台北州所有,更加證明釣魚島主權屬台灣。

此外,中國大陸學者、上海社會科學研究院法學研究所副研究員、海洋法研究中心主任金永明,上海國際問題研究院學術委員會副主任、上海市日本學會會長吳寄南等,也發表論文,探索釣魚島的國際地位,力證釣魚島主權屬中華民族。

台灣師範大學東亞系助理教授林賢參則從戰略意涵分析釣魚島問題的本質。他說,中國大陸追求成為「海洋強國」,企圖掌控西太平洋海域之制海權,會壓縮日本防衛之戰略縱深;政治大學亞太研究所副研究員李瓊莉,也提出國際經驗的比較。

政大外交系教授趙國材說,釣魚台列嶼問題迄今無解,指出釣魚島問題不論從歷史地位或法律地位探討皆無意義,因為國際政治乃強權政治,關於釣魚島主權誰屬是老大哥美國說了算。

趙國材又表示,台灣願意依聯合國憲章及國際法和平解決國際爭端的規範,從主權、戰略位置、海洋權益與維護資源等面向,以確保釣魚台列嶼領土主權完整,與日本談判,並保護台灣漁民權益。唯日方無意願與台灣談判主權問題,只願和台灣談判漁權,想透過台灣獲得漁權用來騙取釣魚台列嶼的主權。但保釣出身的總統馬英九並未上當,既要漁權也要主權。

台灣有人主張拉攏美國介入東海爭端,使日本、中國大陸、台灣、美國形成四方機制,能更有效解決釣魚台列嶼主權問題,並提升台灣之國際地位。趙國材認為,這種做法可能會引狼入室,不見得對台灣有利,因為美日在外交上皆承認北京,與台灣沒有邦交,且釣魚台列嶼附近之海域處於防衛美國本土的第一島鏈上,可能牽動東北亞安全情勢和美日的戰略布局,美國在釣魚台列嶼問題上一向表態中立,骨子裏其實偏袒日本。

台灣政治大學國際法學研究中心研究員邵漢儀首次全部全文公開日方釣魚島的新史料,掀起高潮。邵的父親邵玉銘當年留美時亦曾參與保釣運動,如今父子兩代同台參與釣魚島會議,傳為佳話。

日本外務省於一九七一年提出的《我國關於尖閣諸島領有權的基本見解》聲稱﹕「自一八八五年以來,日本政府通過沖繩縣當局等途徑再三在尖閣諸島進行實地調查,慎重確認尖閣諸島不僅為無人島,而且沒有受清朝統治的痕跡。在此基礎上,於一八九五年一月二十一日,在內閣會議上決定在島上建立標樁,以正式列入我國領土之內。」

為了調查日方說法的真相,邵漢儀曾親往日本查閱相關原件,包括仍未公開的明治時期史料。他從日本外務省外交史料館、防衛省防衛研究所圖書館,以及國立公文書館尋得近四十件原件,首次全部公開。他歷時兩年餘發現明治政府從未派員至釣魚島進行實地調查,所謂「再三」調查純屬捏造。

韓國外國語大學教授黃載皓認為,今年三月中國發表國防白皮書,確立戰略目標是國家現代化、力主防禦性國防、與他國建立軍事互信,他懷疑中日會爆發大戰,也不認為日本會放棄二戰後的現代化貿然掀起戰端。不過,另一位韓國學者國家安保戰略研究院研究員朴炳光指出,韓日兩國近年提出擴大交流合作關係的「新時代」理念,但對於韓國,獨島攸關經濟及軍事戰略國家利益,不可能讓步。







Malaysian
Sunday, November 20, 2011 5:17 PM
America's think tanks need to come up with better ideas. No ASEAN country is foolish enough to sacrifice its resources ad interests to promote American devious war mongering abd that includes India.

Nevertheless the ASEAN nations will lead belligerent America down the garden path extracting concessions and finally dumping America when it falls apart from foolish expenditure trying to contain China.
Doggy
# Doggy
Sunday, November 20, 2011 4:28 PM
Under the unclaimed territory, Australia should be under England, Christopher's relative should own America and so on. But in reality we all know that is crap. CN Gov knows very well that to claim the whole West Phil Sea is a ridiculous claim and has no legitimate. That why it has no gut to accept the req from Philippine Gov to get the conflict sorted out by the UN.
CN was threatening ASEAN by military action but see no impact (this made the ASEAN moves farther away from CN), now it starts with new threaten: economy.
Myo
# Myo
Sunday, November 20, 2011 2:39 PM
The claim in this article that China's neighbours in Asia are depending China economically is only a half-baked reality. Looking at Libya, Sudan and my country Myanmar, what PRC has done is condoning the repressive actions and interests of the dictators in those countries in exchange for unfair economic favours. What PRC has done causes more harm than good to ordinary citizens in those countries.
As this article claims, are we, the neighbours of China, depending China economically? My answer is absolutely No. PRC has been taking advantage of internal political problems in Myanmar and exploiting our resources. It is crystal clear that which party is benefiting from the relationship. We can do without China and its so-called assistance for which they sell their outdated machines and provide loans in exchange for our precious resources. Given a choice between US and PRC for your ally, I will choose US any time. Do not be too arrogant, China. Think about who needs who more. If we can find an amicable solution for our political problems in Myanmar, we will no longer need your support in UN and international arena like the previous dictator friend of yours did. We do not need your cheap products. We do not want thieves pretending as friends who steal every thing from our country.
Ask every Myanmar on the street, I am sure you will hear the same answer "No China, please."
Tron
# Tron
Sunday, November 20, 2011 8:56 AM





China claim to the Diaoyu Islands is based on the "discovery" of unclaimed territory and derives from a range of Chinese governmental contacts and references going back to 1372.

Japan claim is also based on the "discovery" of supposedly unclaimed territory, despite the fact that official Japanese documents, several of which were unearthed by Taiwan scholar Han-yi Shaw, demonstrate that the Japanese government was well aware of China historic claim when it began to take an interest in the islets in 1885.

During the subsequent decade, contrary to the assertions now made by Japan, its officials not only failed to complete surveys of the islets necessary to confirm their alleged unclaimed status, but also recognised that the matter "would need to involve negotiations with Qing China".

To avoid China suspicion, Japan chose to conceal its intention to occupy the islets "until a more appropriate time". That time came in January 1895, when Japan by then on its way to defeating China in their 1894 war, adopted a Cabinet decision that the islets were Japanese territory. Yet even that Cabinet decision was not made public until after the second world war.

Moreover, if the US were to become an impartial mediator, it would have to note that Japan claim to sovereignty over the islets is based on a distorted version of late 19th century history that does not pass the international smell test.

It is time for Japan to reassess its views on the international law of the sea. Those of its views that are plainly irresponsible only discredit others that deserve serious consideration.

Perhaps most insulting to the world community is its claim that the rock called Okinotorishima that constitutes Japan southernmost "land", a reef system with land at high tide no larger than a king-sized bed, is entitled to an EEZ and continental shelf.







Saigon
# Saigon
Sunday, November 20, 2011 6:44 AM
Hang on, it seems the author has proposed an economy vs sovereignty to ASEAN. Which country on earth these days would give up its land &sea for better economy but constantly is being bullied?
CN economy seems to be more stable than US & EU at the moment but don't forget that it growths heavily rely on US & EU market. Once US & EU slow down the demanding, moving their factories away CN or put a ban to CN then CN would go back to the Mao's period where push bikes are the main transport in the whole country.
Stop bullying its neighbor, remove the stupid & greedy Cow tongue that recently drawn by CN. And that is all if CN doesn't want to be isolated.
Todd
# Todd
Saturday, November 19, 2011 7:06 PM
China should stay within its territorial waters. The South China Sea is international waters for everyone to use. China should act like a good neighbor.
Imperial Dragon
# Imperial Dragon
Saturday, November 19, 2011 11:57 AM
China will have to go to war sooner or later. Our military modernization will be ready before the end of the decade.

Before we take on US Navy, we should first take out Vietnam and India on land. These two are easier targets.

Once we secure our land borders, then we attack all hostile nations in the first island chain and push USA back.
Patience
# Patience
Saturday, November 19, 2011 4:28 AM
Blackjar. If the US, EU and China's economy sinks together I guess who will be more paranoia. As the saying goes, you only need to sit and watch the actions and mental state of a rich man gone broke. For China, they're still developing and have lots of catch-up o do, so can easily spend on alternative useful infrastructural projects that is badly needed and commence a social safety net needed to keep itself afloat. Not withstanding apart from the US and EU the world has more than 6billion more people which China can engineer their growth and promote it trade. It is natural for the brightest student in a class to be upset and afraid when being challenged - this is what US is going through, but you only have to assessed your self and demand the benefits of using unscrupulous ways in stopping your opponent. As long you achieve your grades and move to another level even after being defeated by the better guy, what is bad in that. Any way, everybody controls their future and this is the future Obama has chosen for the Americans, to toy 16hrs a day and your tax payers money used for grand strategies.
blackjar
# blackjar
Saturday, November 19, 2011 3:59 AM
I do not think that anyone the world over grudges China its economic rise. The problem is that China in the last two years has repeatedly made the mistake of rubbing almost every one of its neighbours the wrong way - without sufficient diplomatic niceties. Economic and military might has resulted in arrogance and created what China's neighbours percieve as a regional bully.

India played the bully in South Asia and after learning its lessons - is making amends. It has learnt to be more accomodating to its neighbours and dropped the big brother tones of the past.

@Patience - I would worry about being the largest creditor of the US. Considering that it is China's largest trading partner and the EU is in the doldrums with no solution in sight. Cash those T bonds and the US economy will go down as you have forseen - but it will in all likelihood also sink the Chinese economy with it - as the purchasing power of the US & EU too will drop. So until you find new markets with similar potential - hang on to those T bonds.
Patience
# Patience
Saturday, November 19, 2011 2:52 AM
It is not in China interest to fall into US trap. It is US that is showing every sign of running against time. China should focus on building a solid economic and military capability so strong to the extend that it can dictate to neighboring countries to choose where they fall. Embrace me and kick the adventurer “ass” out? or loose all economic link and the Chinese market at large and if not willing and choose the latter? harsh economic sanctions follows, you go broke and if frustrated and wants to go for a fight? Then best look at my muscles well and think otherwise. This however, doesn't just mean China should fold it arms, sit and watch for the moment. No!!!! Be nice and draw closest neighbors closer and those unwilling should immediately see imminent economic losses(their economic losses to China is trivia to China’s security concerns). No one wants to be left behind economically in Asia and considering China's market size and the largest world trading nation, I think even Dalai Lama would choose otherwise if Tibet was given back to him.

Sooner or later the US cash crises would increase when China start cashing on those T-bonds and promoting it currency. US wants to deflect the Chinese technocrat leaders economic plans to military competition which they know at the moment they're the KING-KONG's. Again Chinese leaders should evaluate and take only moderate actions. I suggest stay out of the TPP pact and form a good bond and better pact with Brazil, Chile, Argentine, Nigeria, Bangladesh and Russia. This would not only benefit China and parties involved economically, but would give the US a run for their money. Thanks China and I love this country and admire the extra ordinary effort they've done so far in taking hundred of millions of their citizens out of poverty. Please Respect this nation and call her the name she deserves, all countries have their own backsides which china is not an exception.
Ambricourt
# Ambricourt
Saturday, November 19, 2011 1:01 AM
WiseIndian: You are less than wise and your prose is not Indian. I wrote nothing about India as a superpower. Certainly in economic terms, China is way ahead of India; but American military "game-plans" are working very effectively throughout Asia at the moment. American "containment" of non-subservient nations from the Baltic to the Sea of Japan is firmly in place and the new Trans Pacific Trade Alliance is a new mercantile aggression to irritate the leaders of the People's Republic. China is right to express irritation - and become increasingly wary and defensive.
WiseIndian
# WiseIndian
Friday, November 18, 2011 3:39 PM
Ambricourt you are so foolish to think that america will bailout myanmar and belochistan economically. Even now thay can not sustain themselves economically. It is only we indian knowingly sucking american C**k for chineese fear. No american game plan will work in Asean country anymore. American Days are gone. India slept while china developed port & infrastructure in neighbouring country, One think you have to know that china is much far developed, powerful than india in reality. India is superpower only in TimesOfIndia newspaper. Truth is truth, although we dont like it. Bande Matarom
Ambricourt
# Ambricourt
Friday, November 18, 2011 1:24 PM
Soon the United States will remove Myanmar and Baluchistan from Chinese economic influence. This will prevent China developing port and naval facilities in these regions. Is China prepared to wait and watch this happen?
Uncle Mao bow uncle Ho
# Uncle Mao bow uncle Ho
Friday, November 18, 2011 10:56 AM
Some loud mouth shit hole Chinese with no manner. We Vietnamese beat the shit out out you
Mr C
# Mr C
Friday, November 18, 2011 3:21 AM
The Chinese wish to be on par with the US should not lead to ignorance of other parties' wishes. A peaceful Asia can only be achieved when all parties are willing to compromise when faced with political disputes. China's reaction to neighboring hostility cannot always be to provide more aggressiveness. It's not the world against China but it will easily become so if China doesn't revise its national ambitions. Remember: China may be rising now but around the corner is potentially an even greater India.
Wishful?
# Wishful?
Friday, November 18, 2011 2:27 AM
It's good to remember not too long ago a less muscular Australia was threatening Indonesia with unilateral action into Indonesia.
Now those muscles are going to be on steroids.
So at anytime, they so choose, the hegemonic powers can be in any Asean country and their presence here somehow points a gun, smoking or otherwise as they choose.
Who knows if it is not the resurrection of slavery to come because that is White genes.
I wonder if the KKK is really dead or not.

Post Comment

Name (required)

Email (required)

Website

CAPTCHA image
Enter the code shown above in the box below

By leaving a comment, you agree to abide by all terms and conditions (See Comment section).