Yearender: Cooperation overriding theme in Asia-Pacific despite disputes
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail Xinhua, December 18, 2012
The year 2012 was by no means tranquil for the Asia-Pacific, a region with tremendous potential in resources and home to some of the world's fastest growing economies, including China.
As Washington moves to boost its regional presence with the so-called "Asia pivot", high waves are being churned up in waters surrounding China:
Japan and some other countries, partly emboldened by the U.S. policy, have notably stepped up their provocations challenging China's sovereignty over its territories in the South and East China Seas.
However, despite those distractions, cooperation, especially economic integration, remained this year's overriding theme for the region against the backdrop of continued globalization.
HEIGHTENED TERRITORIAL DISPUTES
Tensions between China and Japan started escalating following Japanese right-wing politician Shintaro Ishihara's announcement of an intention to "purchase" the Diaoyu Islands from its so-called private owners, a blatant move to challenge China's sovereignty over the islands.
With memories of the Japanese invasion still vivid in China, the country felt increasingly irritated by Tokyo's decision to "nationalize" the islands, a planned Japan-U.S.joint military drill downgraded at the last minute, and an unprecedented landing on the islands by a serving Japanese cabinet minister.
The growing negative feeling about Japan has prompted anti-Japan rallies and a boycott of Japanese products in many cities across China.
While insisting it would not take a position on the dispute, the United States has made it clear that the islands are covered by a 1960 security treaty obliging the United States to come to Japan's aid if attacked.
The U.S. role could be felt in other territorial disputes between China and her neighbors. For example, after Washington unveiled its "Asia pivot" policy, Manila turned more assertive in its confrontation with China over the Huangyan Island.
COOPERATION MOVES FORWARD
China has insisted on diplomatic solutions to the disputes while being steadfast in pursuing a good-neighbor foreign policy.
China played a prominent role in regional multilateral platforms, such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the East Asia Summit.
The four-nation joint patrol by China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand on the Mekong River, initiated by China and formally launched in December 2011, has protected more than 90 shipping vessels through a section plagued by pirates.
China also held its first joint marine rescue drill on emergency telecommunication with Vietnam.
China, as a member of the SCO, took part in the 10th SCO joint military drill, a mechanism not targeted at any country but the three evil forces of terrorism, extremism and separatism, as well as unconventional security challenges, such as drug trafficking and trans-national crime.
China also participated in its first joint medical rescue drill with Australia and New Zealand, among other highlights marking the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties with both countries.
Progress has been achieved especially on trade and the economy. Two-way trade and investment between China and ASEAN soared in the past few years and, with the various cooperation deals signed at the East Asia Summit in November, growth in this area is expected to continue a robust upward trend.
Despite territorial disputes, China, Japan, along with South Korea, formally announced they would launch negotiations for a three-nation free trade zone, with the first round of talks scheduled for January 2013.
Analysts say the decision was a natural result of rounds of preparatory talks, but the timing of the announcement showed the strong political will by the three countries to forge closer trade and economic ties.
Also at the summit, China has put its weight behind a wider FTA mechanism, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which involves the 10 members of ASEAN and six other Asia-Pacific economies. If realized, the RCEP would cover over half the world's population.
"As the global financial crisis continues and trade and investment protectionism start to grow, regional economic integration has become the common choice of many countries," said Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying.
CHINA-U.S. TIES KEY TO ASIA-PACIFIC PROSPERITY
Apparently, the relationship between China and the United States, the world's two largest economies, would have a huge impact on other countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
Determined to remain a dominant power in the region, Washington was implementing its "Asia pivot" playbook, with hopes to get a chunk of Asia's fast-growing economic pie. But many observers believe it is also designed to check China's growing clout in the region.
"As a wary United States is watching out for a rising China, competition and conflicts of interest will be inevitable," said Chen Jidong, an international relations expert at China's Sichuan University.
However, with their economies increasingly intertwined and areas of common interests continuously expanded, the two sides have recognized the need to properly address the age-old problem of rivalry between a rising power and the established one.
A flurry of high-level visits between the two countries this year has highlighted their efforts to work toward an answer.
Their increasing interaction will have a deep impact on the regional landscape, as China now serves much like a backbone of the Asian economy while the United States boasts a vast security network in the region.
David Shambaugh, a China expert in Washington, said for the two nations, the key is to balance competition and cooperation.
Evidently, building a positive, cooperative and comprehensive China-U.S. relationship is not only crucial to the two nations, but also to the peace and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region. Endi
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)