Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences World Forum on China Studies Selected Papers from the 2 nd World Forum on China Studies (Abstracts) Panel 8 China's Diplomacy: Bilateral Relations, Multilateral Arena Contents: and Harmonious Regions 1. China s Peaceful Development and the Sino-Vietnam Relationship By TienSam Do (Vietnam) 2. The Strategic Choice of P. R. China: Lusophony and Key Role Played by Macau SAR Toward Africa By Elisabetta Colla (Portugal) 3. Nontraditional Security Issues and China s New Security Perspective By Yong Fu (China) 4. Non-economic National Strength and International Status of China By Jian Hu (China) 5. On Prospects of Development of the China-Central Asian Relations in the Frame of the SCO By Akhad Khojaev (Uzbekistan) 6. In Historical Perspective: The New High Tide of the Relationship Between China and Latin America By Wenlong Liu (China) 7. Sino-Japanese Relations and the East Asian Community in the New Era By Kazuko Mori (Japan) 8. Sino-India Cooperation: The Realistic Basis and Prospect By Yongnian Wu (China)
Panel 8 China's Diplomacy: Bilateral Relations, Multilateral Arena and Harmonious Regions 1) China s Peaceful Development and the Sino-Vietnam Relationship ------ By TienSam Do (Vietnam) In the past 30 years, China s rapid development attracted more and more attention of Sinologists throughout the world, whereas they have different viewpoints, especial to the western learners such as American learners. They regard China s peaceful development as the threat to US, and so the latter ought to restrict China. In addition, some of the learners think China s development reasonable and so the United States ought to cooperate with China. Recently, President Hu Jing-tao visited USA and held a meeting with President Bush. President Hu said that anticorruption campaign, rural uncertain factors, the gap between the rich and the poor, environmental pollution and so on took him most of time. That shows China s domestic issues make it impossible to challenge the international standing of US. As the neighboring country of China, Vietnam shares many common viewpoints with China. What are the standpoints of Vietnam to China s peaceful development? After reviewing the viewpoints of Vietnamese learners, the author thinks China s development generate chances and challenges to Vietnam, while the former are more than the latter, even the challenges can also turn to be chances. In order to promote the stable development of two countries, fulfill the expectations of two peoples, adjust to the peace and development of the world, the author put forward some suggestions on bilateral political, economic, cultural, scientific and educational cooperation in the wake of the analysis of China s development to Vietnam. 2) The Strategic Choice of P. R. China: Lusophony and Key Role Played by Macau SAR Toward Africa ------ By Elisabetta Colla (Portugal) One of the mission and main goals of the Macau Scientific and Cultural Centre of Lisbon (Portugal), is maintaining the key role of Macau (World Heritage 2005) in its historical task to enhance the existing relations between Europe and Asia-Pacific Region, but also to play as main actors between P.R.China and the lusophony in general. In 2006 with the new China s Africa strategy both in the francophone and anglophone areas, but also in PALOP S (lusophone area) with profit as main objective.
The Portuguese Language and culture is getting more and more important in dealing with Angola and Mozambique, Cape Verde, etc. The Portuguese can be seen as a strategic language and has already endowed itself with a political organisation the lusophony (the Community of Countries which Speak Portuguese), thus giving the Portuguese-speaking world official existence. This vast human, linguistic and economic group is today faced with strategic choices, notably in the field of culture, on which will depend the future of Portuguese as a language of international communication in the areas involved. CCCM is trying the best to be recognized as bridge between Europe and China promoting mutual understanding and cooperation. Educational area is fundamental to construct this bridge and a deep link between cultures. For this reason CCCM is developing multidisciplinary pedagogical contents using IT and e-learning (conceived in Chinese, English and Portuguese versions) as the preferential way to enhancing interchange between students of Lusophone Africa and China through Macau SAR, among others. 3) Nontraditional Security Issues and China s New Security Perspective ------ By Yong Fu (China) It is not until the tragedy of 9.11 in the U.S. and the outbreak of SARS in China that nontraditional security issues have emerged as increasingly eminent new threats. A series of concepts of international security and national security have undertaken noticeable changes. The meaning and extension of security, the source of security threat, and the object of security as well as the means of defending security all require substantial theoretical modifications. The current study attempts to explore the new theoretical foundation of this important issue, and consequently, makes recommendations for China to refine and improve its security strategy based upon the theory of nontraditional security. The impacts of nontraditional security threat on China s security and development are not to be underestimated. China should establish a new security perspective based upon the principles of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation. It should enhance trust through dialogue, resolve dispute through negotiation, and promote security through cooperation. China s new security perspective will have profound strategic impact on how the international society resolves nontraditional security issues. Unilateralism and preemptive strike are proved ineffective, so the multilateral international security cooperation has become more and more important. 4) Non-economic National Strength and International Status of China ------ By Jian Hu (China)
The state s international status contains objectivity and subjectivity. The objectivity is the degree of the acceptance of international society to one state, and the subjectivity is expressed with its comprehensive national strength. Then, How to express the state s international status? Obviously, it is decided by the national comprehensive strength. There exists many methods to classifying the comprehensive national strength, but commonly, the academic circles accept the way of Joseph Nye s: hard power and soft power. Nowadays, the method of analyzing the comprehensive national strength is mainly the method of quantitative analysis, especially analyzing the economic strength. Even analyzing the soft power, only those economic factors especially economic investment are the analyzing index. But it can hardly suggest the strength of soft power. In fact, hard power contains some factors of soft power, and soft power contains some factors of hard power. That is to say, Nye s method can not define the border between hard power and soft power. So, this article thinks that the comprehensive national strength is made up of economic national strength and non-economic national strength. During the last 20 more years, China s economic national strength rose quickly within the system of the comprehensive national strength, which suggests the real meaning of China s rising. Comparatively, China s non-economic national strength have their own characteristics: firstly, most of the non-economic national strength, especially the scientific, cultural and social national strength; secondly, all the non-economic national strength developed in an unbalance way, such as, some are become stronger and rise rapidly, some keep in original situation, also, some are weaken relatively. Compare with all kinds of countries such as the US, Japan, Briton, France, Germany, Russia, India, Brazil and so on, we discover that, in the past few years, international status of China line ahead, one reason is that some of China s comprehensive national strength such as economic, political and diplomatic national strength developed fast; the other reason is that some countries statues were backward just like Russia, and some countries like Briton, France, Italy and Canada develop slowly. Anyhow, according to the above situation, it suggests that China is still a sub-strongest power, but its international status is rising continuously. 5) On Prospects of Development of the China-Central Asian Relations in the Frame of the SCO ------ By Akhad Khojaev (Uzbekistan) The analysis of opinions of foreign analysts allows stating that stability of the Central Asia is compound a part of global stability, and regional stability depends on a degree of achievement of a consensus of all interested countries. At the given stage of geopolitical developments in Central Asia it is very difficult to speak about such consensus. Region will involve in the various organizations of cooperation as the CIS,
the Eurasian Economic Cooperation, the Organization of Collective Security Agreement, the World Trade Organization, etc. Not all interests and objectives of these organizations coincide. In this context, I would like to express my ideas about the role of the Peoples Republic of China in an all-around development of the Central Asia, maintenance of its safety and prospects of development the SCO. For the short period of time of the PRC became the country with strong economy that is the proof of the correct organization of industry development process. Stable development of economy demands from the government of China preservation stability not only in the country and in neighboring countries, but also in other regions of the world as China shows the economic activity in all continents of the world, transforming itself into the global factory and raising its own defensibility. Certainly, economic development of China is accompanied by the decision of the internal problems, such as employment, mechanization and automation of manufacture. It leads to raise of new problems, such as shortage of energy resources and dependence of the country on their import, relative reduction of number of the people involved in manufacturing, necessity of constant expansion of manufacture and increase in export, etc. These new problems increasingly adheres the PRC to other regions, including to Central Asia, which is one of the key regions of Asia. The Central Asian region has its own specificity. The demographic structure of the population of the countries of the region is very non-uniform. The level of development of economy of these countries and the degree of employment of inhabitants is also not equal. In the given context of the problem of employment remains important without which decision it is difficult to speak about safety in Central Asia. Experience of many foreign countries shows, which unsolved problems of employment and absence of a source of incomes create favorable circumstances for distribution of terrorism, extremism and drug-trafficking, which are the major threats of stability. Central Asia draws attention of many countries of the world, including the leading countries. In the USA voices about necessity of recognition by Russia their interests in the region are even more often distributed. Russia stirs up the activity for restoration and development of its relations with the countries of Central Asia. China shows heightened interest to security of the Central Asian countries, since it has already become the factor of protection of peace in the new conditions of the international relations. Nevertheless, the analysis of activity of the Chinese businessmen shows, that Peking considers the region as the market for export of its own goods and a source of cheap raw resources. They put the capitals in improvement of infrastructure of the regional market. Development of export-orientated manufactures remains outside of interests of the Chinese business circles. In these conditions it would be useful to remind of necessity of development of local manufacture of the Central Asian countries as major element of preservation of their security. Practice of the last years shows, the countries are becoming increasingly convinced of the prospects of the SCO, which is explained by the participation of India, Pakistan and Iran in its activity as observers. China is actively striving to increase efficiency of this organization, its transformation into an institutionalization tool of security in Central Asia and use of regional natural resources. Sustainable development of the Central Asian countries and preservation of
the regional security, on the one hand, depends on a degree of achievement of a consensus of the non-regional states and on increase of living standards of the population, including formation of preconditions for creation of common market in the region, from the other hand. Realization of this objective is equitable to the strategic and basic interests of the countries of Central Asia. Creation of a common market at active partnership participation of Russia, China and other countries will allow create larger market of goods and services, labor and capital instead of the present small national markets. Common regional market means functioning of equal approaches, legislation and rules and broad opportunities to attract foreign investment and advanced technology. In the given context it is of high importance for all members of SCO to formulate the uniform approach to usage of the ground transport-communication routes, which are passing through the territory of Central Asia. It has great value, since achievement of this goal can become the catalyst of trade and economic relations of the SCO states-members with the countries of the EU, Southern and Southeast Asia. In trends of globalization of terrorism, religious extremism, drug-trafficking, proliferation maintenance of security of a separate region is not obviously possible without cooperation with the leading countries of the world and the international organizations. Effective interaction with the leading countries and the international institutes within the SCO is to be perspective from the point of view of strategic interests of the Central Asian countries. In this connection Beijing takes to optimize its efforts on fastening the institutional presence in Central Asia, attaching thus special significance to deepening Chinese-Central Asian relations. Giving a different role to the countries of Central Asia in regional processes, the PRC tries to activate the SCO as alternative mechanism to maintain security, first of all, by struggle against terrorism. Such tendency may lead to essential politization of the SCO activity, making declarative the position of China to strengthen economic cooperation. Most likely, China coordinates questions of development of economic component of the SCO to prospects of the introduction of the largest countries of Central Asia, in particular Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, in the WTO. Thus, aspirations of the PRC to provide direct access to the markets of the Central Asian states in short-term prospect will lead to increase of its interest in purposeful restraint resolution of economic problems in the frame of the SCO. In this connection it is not excluded that in long-term prospect Beijing will consider itself as locomotive of economic development of Central Asia. 6) In Historical Perspective: The New High Tide of the Relationship Between China and Latin America ------ By Wenlong Liu (China) In modern and contemporary history there have been three high tides in China and Latin America exchanges. The first one was from late 16th century to early 19th
century: The Manila Sail Trade opened the economic and cultural communication between China and the Latin America. Then in late 19th century, hundreds of thousands of Chinese workers were sold to the America as coolies. They have made memorable contribution to the economic development all over Latin America. The latest high tide was formed at the beginning of 21st century, as China established strategic partnership with some main countries in Latin America, the political and economic relationship between the east and west banks of the Pacific Ocean has been greatly push forward. Looking backward into the history, we can see that compared with the first two high tides, the one in the 21st century was of very different background and features. Firstly, after a long time of change and development, by the beginning of the 21st century, the comprehensive strength of both China and Latin America has been unprecedented improved. Secondly, at the beginning of the 21st century, national leaders of the two countries had frequently visited to each other, promoting the bi-lateral relationship from the level of political leaders. Thirdly, the economic relation has reached an unprecedented width and depth. 7) Sino-Japanese Relations and the East Asian Community in the New Era ------ By Kazuko Mori (Japan) The report argues on how to converse the tension after the Anti-Japanese demonstration into a neighbor-friendly collaborative relation. The solution is to enhance the cooperation between the two countries in many field in East Asia, and to promote their taking combined action on setting up the East Asiatic Community. The report discusses on the following five points: First, the Sino-Japanese relation started a new stage of Cold in Politics, Hot in Economy at the beginning of 21st century. Since the normalization of diplomatic relation in 1972, the Sino-Japanese relation has gone through the stages of strategic friendship (in the 1970s), stabilization, and development (1980s mid 1990s), and structural variation (from late 1990s). A restructuring of the relation has been required since 2005. Second, the author analyzed on the main conductors and structure of the Sino-Japanese relation after the middle 1990s. From the perspective of conductors, there has formed a composite structure in which the government, the economy circle, and the mass media interplayed and influenced on each other. The disagreement and opposition has expanded to the fields of value (including the issue of historical recognition), of regional leadership authority (including the issue of security, and of the permanent membership of the United Nation Security Council), and of some specific benefits (including the issues of territory lands and waters). And all the issues crisscross with each other. Third, in addition to the disagreement and opposition, we should consider the intrinsic structural problem in Sino-Japanese relation. Looking backward to the relation between the two countries in the past 30 years, we can see some distinct characteristics: first, the Sino-Japanese relation is based upon the relation of the
people rather than on the rules and regulations. Plus, Japan has invaded into China in the Second World War. Those decided the relation to be very fragile and easy to be broken. Second, Japan and China hold different diplomatic attitudes toward each other. In Japan there is not any strategy in law or system to deal with the relation with China. And the political situation in Japan, especially within the ruling party, has seriously bounded their policy about China. On the contrary, the Chinese policy toward Japanese focuses on the morality and justice as well as the strategy. It is clear on the Division of to distinguish some militarists from the people. Besides, before 1990s, we did not need to take into account the political restriction in China. The two above characteristics caused the Sino-Japanese relation differ from other international relations. Fourth, in order to develop the Sino-Japanese relation in the new stage into the neighbor-friendly collaborative relation, besides the great effort from the governments and leaders of the two countries, all means of communication is necessary to systematic the relation. It is necessary for the two countries to take some combined actions to enhance the East Asian Cooperation, and to promote the establishment of East Asiatic Community. Those combined actions aiming at the regional collaboration will help to improve the trust between the two countries. Fifth, as we are working to advance the collaboration in East Asia and to build up the East Asiatic Community, the two countries should follow the following means and methods: 1. The goal should be to build up a community not of the government and countries, but of the people living in that area. 2. A multitiered collaborative system should be established in the fields of security system, economy integration, and unconventional security. 3. It should be acknowledged that the public property should be provided by the whole region instead of some country. I think the East Asia including Japan and China must build up a Security Community. 8) Sino-India Cooperation: The Realistic Basis and Prospect ------ By Yongnian Wu (China) Both China and India are nations with splendid ancient civilizations, and share the history of being oppressed and slaved by western colonial powers. In the 21st century, China and India have every reason to cooperate in various fields and to a deeper degree, which will benefit not only the two nations rising in the new century but also the advancement and prosperity of the world. The dialogue between civilizations of China and India is having solid foundations: similar national conditions, facing similar problems, complementary in cultural and philosophical conception. Currently, both China and India are exploring ways to overcome their economic, technological and cultural obstacles for common development and prosperity, and making more contributions for the peace, stability and development of the 21st century. Source: www.sass.org.cn 11/2006