Balance of powers in Asia is inevitable
- Source: Global Times
- [08:36 November 05 2009]
- Comments
Illustration: Liu Rui
By Ding Gang
It is an open secret that many Asian countries want to restrict China's rise with the help of the US.
In a recent speech by Singaporean founder and "Minister Mentor" Lee Kuan Yew on the Charlie Rose show in the US, he warned that the US risks losing global leadership as China rises militarily and economically.
This made some Chinese netizens very unhappy, since Lee's reliance on the US as the leading power seemed to disregard the feelings of the Chinese people. However, given the current status of the Asia-Pacifi c region, it is easy to understand Lee's concern.
Nowadays the Asia-Pacifi c region is seeking a new balance of political and economic structures, a shared goal for all Asia-Pacifi c countries after the Cold War. Who needs to be "balanced?" Frankly speaking, the target is China.
No matter what China thinks, its rise brings changes to the original balance of the Asia-Pacifi c region. It is not a small challenge for any Asia-Pacifi c country to deal with a rapidly growing power.
Accordingly, their concern of loss of possible national interests is understandable.
There has never been a common security mechanism for consultation and cooperation established by Asian countries. During the Cold War, a number of Asian countries were allied to the US in order to restrict the Soviet Union and China.
The US was, is and will, in the foreseeable future, be the dominant force in the region Despite the relative decline in its power, it is still far from becoming a second-class country. Therefore, that some Asia- Pacifi c countries want to rely on the US to balance China's growing strength is entirely natural.
To lead Asian a. airs is not among China's goals, even if China becomes the strongest power in Asia. Being a leader is not aligned with China's philosophy, and it is not considered a favorable choice.
Instead, Asia needs a new security structure based on consultation and cooperation. Its order cannot rely on a single leader, and no such leader will exist in the future. Therefore, maintaining a balance of power in Asia is not bad for China.
