A test of Chinese people's diplomacy
- Source: Global Times
- [05:03 July 07 2010]
- Comments
The US-South Korea naval exercise in the Yellow Sea seems inevitable.
The Chinese government has been cautious in expressing its "concern" after news of the joint drill came in June. The official concern itself may not deter the US from going ahead with its plan.
Therefore, Beijing may consider giving the public outcry in China a bigger play in the subtle diplomatic trial of strength.
If a similar situation occurred near the American continent, it is easy to imagine how the No.1 power will react: congressmen screaming, opposition party leaders kicking up a row, business and non-government groups pushing the administration to act fast and tough, and hawkish Pentagon generals itching for war.
The media will also join the chorus to call for strong action against any foreign "challenge."
However, in China, protesting voices are much more muted.
China's diplomacy has been focused on keeping regional stability and avoiding head-on confrontation.
It is understandable for the Chinese government to act cautiously in handling the proposed drill, as it tried hard not to hurt the multilayered Sino-US relations built up through decades of political and economic exchanges.
As the country grows stronger and its national interests expand, options for dealing with diplomatic emergencies should grow accordingly.
China should consider the Yellow Sea drill a chance to test its non-governmental diplomatic clout.
The country is no longer a uniform mass with only one voice. The public can explore ways to comple-ment Beijing's official diplomacy.
It might not be good for a government to handle the crisis with a harsh hand.
But the Chinese people should act in a way that compels US government's attention.
It is the Chinese consumers and workers who contribute to the hard currency to buy US treasury bonds, and support struggling US companies during the financial crisis. Washington may not have the reason or guts to ignore their demand.
