Decisions, Decisions: How Will China Position Itself in Asia

Decisions, Decisions: How Will China Position Itself in Asia
Nov 13, 2011 By eChinacities.com

Editor’s note: Although some readers may immediately want dismiss the following article as Chinese propaganda (it does have that “Chinese-y” tone after all), the International Relations Theory discussed herein is actually quite accurate, and has been widely accepted by most IR theorists for a while. What is different is the region that the discussion is coming from. The IR discussion is no longer Western-centric, and for better or for worse, the world order is changing. The following article was first published in "Lianhe Zaobao", Singapore's main Chinese language newspaper, on October 28th, and was republished in excerpt form (translated below) by the China News Service. The author, Bao Chenggang studied international politics in Canada and England, and currently works for a Canadian international group.The article discusses how, following its sudden rise, China should position itself in Asia, and what its regional strategy should be.

Following its sudden rise, how should China position itself in Asia, and which strategic decision should it adopt? China's decisions will affect its relationships with other Asian countries, and affect the Sino-US relationship in particular, as well as affecting the change and development of the Asian order.

Wait, America is an Asian Country?

Geographically speaking, America is not in Asia, but from the perspective of the Asian order and its strategy, the US is one of the key players in the region. This order stems from the former Cold War order, and although many changes have occurred since then, the order’s core and its basic framework has not really changed. Following WWII, as the ideological conflicts between the US and Soviet Union became evident, the world was divided into two sides; on one side was the US-led capitalist camp, while on the other side was the Soviet-led socialist camp.

As part of its containment policy toward the Soviet Union and China, militarily, the US and its Asian allies established several security alliances similar to NATO in Europe. Economically, in addition to the substantial US aid, the US also opened up the US market to Asia, giving birth to the Japanese economic miracle, as well as the so-called "Four Asian Tigers".  Politically, Japan, South Korea and other countries successively adopted the US system/ideology. In the 1970s, as conflicts occurred between China and the Soviet Union and their relationship broke down, Sino-US relations improved (Nixon), and China was finally admitted into the US-led Asian order. After becoming a “member country” of this Asian order, China's relations with Japan and the other Asian countries began to reconcile and develop.

In the 1990s, Asia entered a relatively peaceful period of rapid economic development, and globalisation helped the economies in China and other Asian countries' rapidly develop. Economically, the interactions brought about the development of economic integration in the Asian region, and this development of this economic integration further brought about a trend of political integration and westernisation.

Hate to burst your bubble…

The Asian Financial Crisis (1997) was a wake up call for Asian counties. They realised that they couldn't depend on the US and the West, and that Asia must depend on itself for development. This wake up call was the beginning of Asia's (true) rise, a time when finally  “Asia belongs to Asians". Asia has become the world's most economically dynamic region; the world's economic centre is moving from the Atlantic to the Pacific. But as the US is plotting its return to Asia [it has been kind of busy in the Middle East for the last decade], this golden age is inclined to end.

The US may currently be in a recession, but it is still the world's most powerful nation; it is still the leader in the international system and its strategic objective is to maintain the position as world leader. Large or small, any rising powers are viewed as potential threats. The return of the US to Asia illustrates that its global strategic objectives have moved toward Asia. Setting its sights on China, its objective is to reaffirm its leading position in Asia, and to reinforce itself as the head of the Asian order.

The US policy toward China is:

1) Publicly advocate the "China Threat Theory"
2) Provoke conflict between China and neighbouring countries, by internationalising regional and historical issues
3) Implement "value system" diplomacy, wherein it re-assembles former allies to contain China's rise
4) Conduct joint-military exercises (war games) with those countries

As US strategy has refocused on Asia, Asia is already regressing back to a US-led order. The core of this order is the US-Japan alliance (plus South Korea) and Australia. The framework is to form a C-shaped circle around China, and its purpose is to isolate and contain China's rise.

In light of this, what are China’s options?

It is clear that China currently has three options:

1) Give tit for tat; usurp the US's position. Clearly, China has no intention of doing this. The so-called "China Threat" is merely an excuse to curb China's rise. Ironically, the "China's Threat" theory in practice is a "Threaten China" theory.

2) Integrate into and change the system. China integrates itself into the existing Asian system, and from its foundation gradually changes it to make it more inclusive and open. In reality, China's rise was precisely a result of its integration into the current Asian system. Further, economically, China and other Asian countries are already inseparably linked.

3) Return to its "Splendid Isolation" policy, avoid conflict and vigorously develop. In considering this option, it should be noted that this is the same strategy that the US adopted after WWI. In the aftermath of WWI, the US went from being a debtor nation to a creditor nation; from an importing country to an exporting country. President Woodrow Wilson's “14 Points” attempted to place the US in the centre of the international political arena, but it was deeply resisted by the European powers. Soon after, the US adopted an isolationist foreign policy, expelling all of its energy for domestic development and using its politics to improve domestic business. This was a period of great transition, change and prosperity in the US, known as "Coolidge Prosperity" or "The Roaring Twenties", and it cause the US economy to become fully developed; allowing Americans to achieve "a state of happiness rarely seen throughout history", and creating a solid foundation for the US to later move to the international stage.

[Ed. note: the author seemingly glossed over the consequences of this isolationist policy (the Great Depression), and how the late-involvement of the US in WWII, due to isolationism, helped it rebuilt Europe and Japan and become a global hegemon]

Conclusion

Comparing these three options, it is clear that the second option is the best policy. But this is dependent on changes to the Sino-US relationship, as well as the “rational choices” of Asian countries. The reason why option two is the best, is because it ensures stability and prosperity in Asia, and will help Asia become the world's most economically dynamic region. Furthermore, it will also ensure that China's peaceful development can continue with minimal costs.
 

Source: huanqiu
 

Related links
China's Rise in Power: World Public-Opinion Survey Reveals Four General Views
Watkins: China’s Rise at Our Demise?
Are Chinese and Foreign Media Left, Right or Just Wrong?

Warning:The use of any news and articles published on eChinacities.com without written permission from eChinacities.com constitutes copyright infringement, and legal action can be taken.

Keywords: China in the Asian order the US in Asia China’s foreign policy decisions Sino-US relations after the recession

9 Comments

All comments are subject to moderation by eChinacities.com staff. Because we wish to encourage healthy and productive dialogue we ask that all comments remain polite, free of profanity or name calling, and relevant to the original post and subsequent discussion. Comments will not be deleted because of the viewpoints they express, only if the mode of expression itself is inappropriate.

Kary.B

I don't mean to be offensive to anyone, I have allot of friends from the U.S who are not go gun oriented and who have respect for Chinese soil, Australian Soil, and Of course their homelands soil... It is quite obvious by now that the Chinese government, Military and its people have no grudge what so ever against the U.S, and will not proceed with any military action, though it will act in self defense in its inner soil, the people, the military, the government have no intentions against anyone from Australia, America or Middle east for that matter, just because China has risen its economy, The U.S people, not the government see China as a threat, I do not like to indicate any names but I truly hope that one day the gun driven people inside the U.S stop putting blame on China as a country who supports war, it is clear by now that intentions of China is to avoid war, yet the U.S people and not government for some reason hold a grudge against China, why I don't know. The U.S has invaded enough countries in the past decade, and just because it no longer holds the position as the world leader, it does not give its people the right to discriminate China, and at the end of the day we're all under the shoes of one humanity, respect is crucial, I'm sorry most of you are missing this quality.

Apr 18, 2013 00:33 Report Abuse

LAR

Well said Simon!! Cheers!

May 17, 2013 15:20 Report Abuse

Matty

My comment was deadly serious. I think China will be a threat for Australia in the future, Indonesia even more so. I would like to see a second US miltary base, perhaps in Cairns.

Australia should also develop a rapid delivery nuclear missle capability as a deterrent against rapacious self-serving Asian nations. On top of that, a missle defence shield should be put in place. Australia has some of the best scientists and engineers in the world, time to use them in the defence industry.

Rain, you should remember this: This Chinese have never liked Australia, or Australian people. I would even say now a hatred is developing between Australian and Chinese people. Sad to see, but IMO, it is the fault of the Chinese. Their inherent racism and arrogance makes them unable to establish true friendship and love with anyone.

If you think Chinese people like Australian people you have you head buried in the sand. Wake up!

Nov 15, 2011 20:06 Report Abuse

LAR

I find your comments narrow-minded,paranoid and asinine. Grow up. You talk about escalation of belligerance. * What has CHINA been doing for some time now? BULLYING and HARRASSING its ASIAN NEIGHBORS to get minerals! :( Do you think that Vietnam,Taiwan,the Philippines,Japan,South Korea,etc. appreciate that?! :( * I don't hear you saying ANYTHING about CHINA'S AGGRESSION!! :( Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd warned the United States regarding CHINA!! He also warned CHINA to stay out of Australia's affairs! Stop your whining! Australia is not being nor will it be alienated from its Asian neighbors. It is not being used by the United States. "...USA's...........force." Ha ha Ha ha!!!!!! HYSTERICAL:!! ;) "I............soil." * Really, can you read all of their minds? * "Sadly,.......issue." Really? * Then, since you are so disgusted why don't YOU PERSONALLY WRITE A LETTER to YOUR PRIME MINISTER and express that view? * I find your comments INSULTING and ASININE! Have a good one mate! :(

May 17, 2013 14:55 Report Abuse

LAR

Ha ha Ha ha Ha ha Ha ha Ha ha Ha ha Ha ha Ha ha Ha ah Ha ha!!!!!!!!!I LOVE IT!!!!!! I couldn't make that stuff up!!!!!! Brilliant!! Brilliant I say!!!!!!! *.*

May 17, 2013 15:04 Report Abuse

LAR

Blah blah Blah blah Blah blah!!!!!!!! Whatever! Have a good one!

May 17, 2013 15:17 Report Abuse

LAR

Well said Harry. BTW #3: OMG, speaking of annoying..in my experience and MANY others..it's many Chinese,Eurotrash and South Koreans that are so OBNOXIOUS as well! :( Egads!!!!!! :o!

May 17, 2013 18:22 Report Abuse

yes

Of course. Germany and France are too.

But has Russia ever really been a true European country? No not really, they have always been the outsiders, the Asian connected to Europe. Some even say they are the other sphere of influence being that they don't fit into any one but many at the same time.

Also Russia is a country ruled by crime syndicates and other splinter groups that are not there to make the country powerful but groups and individuals. Of course they could just have them take charge and run the country that way, kind of like a capitalist system. They already run the police so probably not that tough to get their way.
Makes for an interesting backdrop to a scifi movie.

Nov 15, 2011 06:22 Report Abuse

LAR

yes, chill comments! "Makes........movie." An excellent idea and a superb plot! :)

May 17, 2013 15:29 Report Abuse