The Impact of the Rise of China on Asia-Pacific Security - Essay Example

Critically assess the impact of the rise of China on Asia-Pacific security. Is china having an impact in terms of the development of multilateral security mechanisms? This paper will first throw light over the emergence of China as world’s second largest economy and its importance among international community. The discussion will be followed by an explanation over China’s growing influence in South Asia and East Asia, in particular, Asia-Pacific region. The paper will then move on critical analysis upon impact of Chinese economic, military and political (power) growth on Security of Asia-Pacific region. The paper will focus on whether China has been impacting the development of multilateral security mechanisms and how peace across broader Asia-Pacific may benefit China’s ambition of becoming next super power. People’s Republic of China (PRC) came into existence in 1949, two years after division of sub-continent and emergence of India and Pakistan in 1947 when British departed from sub-continent. Indeed, since then, China had remained a poor nation because of its communist policies and strict control by government over nation’s resources. China had no signs of joining the list of developed economies before 1977 because it used to be one of the least developed nations across the globe. However, the Chinese government and policy makers decided to get rid of ‘Maoism’ and traditional adopted communist principles in 1978 to grapple with rising unemployment, poverty, societal and political unrest. Quite unequivocally, China implemented some principles of capitalism thereby opening its economy for foreign investors and interested business organisations that wanted to tap lucrative South Asian and East Asian business markets. The population growth has already declared China as world most populist country, which in turn, provided international firms availability of extremely cheap skilled, unskilled and semi skilled labor resources. China also introduced new economic reforms to stimulate economic and business activities, thereby controlling the monster of poverty and unemployment. For instance In addition, the foreign investment continued to grow at a phenomenal pace and China, indeed, became world’s most attractive destination for foreign investment. Leading multinationals and supranational corporations also joined the arena and shifted their production plants to Chinese industrial states so that they could maximize their wealth. As a result, Chinese economy grew sharply in last 10-15 years, which in turn, increased nation’s Gross Domestic Product (Purchasing power parity), Per Capita Income, aggregate consumption and output. Government, however, also focused in regulating public sector so that it could secure Chinese resources and prevent foreign investors from having considerable control. In other words, Chinese economy is a blend of Capitalism (free market mechanism) and Communism (absolute government’s control or state intervention) where market forces (demand / supply) are allowed to determine prices of various commodities, while key decisions regarding certain sectors and areas are regulated by policy makers and concerned authorities (Grumbine, 2007) ; (Zhang, 2009). It should be emphasized that China’s phenomenal economic growth brought it in the list of world’s leading and fastest growing economies, and at present, China has proven to be the second largest economy in terms GDP. This emergence also compelled Chinese policy makers to redefine their foreign agenda, future aspirations and ambitions. Nonetheless, China’s has various underlying agendas and goals such as maximization of political, economic and military influence, ‘leverage and freedom of action’ in its relatively ‘balanced’ successive foreign policies. Indeed, the researcher has deliberately used the word ‘balanced’ because China so far not only enjoys stable (though not cordial) relationships with USA and other nations that are implicitly working together to reduce China’s growing ability to influence and contribution regarding security measures in Asia-Pacific region. It should be pointed out that USA, at one extreme, has permitted greater access to Chinese products in its highly transactions based markets, while on the other extreme, it has formed an alliance with India, Germany, Middle-, Far- and South East Asian nations to thwart China’s reemergence as world’s next super power. In short, Chinese authorities are well-informed about hidden aspirations of Washington and Pentagon counterparts, yet they want to become much stronger economically and technologically to achieve the pinnacle of self-reliance in every single sector. It should not be forgotten that China, still, is viewed as an emerging economy than being a developed nation because of technological backwardness against America, Britain, Japan, Italy and Germany etc (Zhang, 2009). On the other hand, US authorities are also quite aware of the fact that its multinational corporations, manufacturers, technological and financial businesses have already made mammoth investments across China that, in turn, significantly contributes in USA Gross National Product i-e economic well-being and prosperity. Hence it may not be feasible to initiate another explicit cold war with China at present when USA is already involved in disheartening, ruthless and money-wasting Afghan and Iraq military invasions. Therefore, it’s justified to argue that both USA and China are, at current, in state of interdependence while simultaneously working on their opposing agendas. In simple words, an existing though relatively weaker, nowadays, Super power has been struggling to defend its position while the latter is opting out to acquire the hot seat and status (Medeiros, 2005). Having provided above mentioned issues and current international scenario, the researcher will now elaborate on the China’s importance regarding security mechanisms in Asia-Pacific region. Before moving on towards this major explanation of this paper, I would like to briefly discuss on importance of Asia-Pacific region. In fact, this is a fairly broader region that includes South East Asian countries which are represented by ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations). The main ASEAN members are India, China, Malaysia, Indonesia (largest Muslim country worldwide and Pakistan is second largest), South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan and Japan. Second, there are Australia, New Zealand and other countries that are represented by PIF (Pacific Islands Forum). And finally, there are miscellaneous list of countries including North Korea, Hong Kong and small islands that are also considered to be a part of Asia-Pacific region. It is justified to call Asia-Pacific as region of world’s rapidly developing or emerging economies. Conflicts between or among nations exist all across the globe; therefore, this region is also not freed from such disputes. For instance, various ASEAN members such as India and China, North and South Korea, China and Taiwan are among the open examples that are directly linked with this discussion over multilateral security mechanisms across broader Asia-Pacific region. Quite unequivocally, there are apparent disputes between India (originally a South Asian country) and China that should be viewed in the back drop of relationship of both nations with their joint neighbour Pakistan. It should be noted that China shares borders with South Asian countries, especially, with Pakistan and India. As far as the case of Pakistan is concerned, it is a third world country having population of over 170 million (as estimated by CIA world fact book) and has now received the status of a rapidly developing and emerging nation after introduction of business and investment friendly policies. Next, Pakistan enjoys warm and highly cordial relationships with China because it provides Pakistan economic, military and political favors. India, on the contrary, is an absolute rival of Pakistan since partition of sub-continent; therefore, strengthening itself economically and militarily to deal with perceived threat. Both nations have already fought few wars in past to settle down disputed Kashmir territorial issue, however, failed to resolve through deadly military ventures. Nevertheless, both countries are also nuclear powers that have not signed Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) so far, despite protest and political pressure from world’s leading nations. Anyhow, it is justified to argue that China’s is inclined to make Pakistan stronger and stronger economically and militarily so that it would remain a continuous threat for India. Next, China also has genuine conflicts with Taiwan that aggravates present scenario and may lead to uncertainty in future. Taiwan claims itself as an autonomous nation and has desire to come out of China’s military pressure and control with support of USA. China, in contrast, denies this right and condemns international community for building diplomatic relationships with its insurgent territory. In fact, Taiwan expects a real menace of any military attack and adverse consequences because of its denial of Chinese offer about reintegration and reunion. Finally, China also covertly endorses North Korea, which has rivalry with neighbouring South Korea. Indeed, the reason behind it is that North Korea still considers as a Communist country and thus being closer to China and Russia. South Korea, a developed nation, is viewed as an American colony by neutral analysts and pundits having established US military base where around 40,000 US marines reside to deal with ever growing North Korean threat. So, it is worthwhile to argue that Asia-Pacific is a region where leading nations are at a verge of collapse and debacle if they get indulged in any dreadful war event. It does not matter for researcher that these countries vow explicitly to dismantle any security threats; rather it is the underlying agenda that may result in commencement of World War 3 from Asia-Pacific region. (Zhang, 2009) As far as development of multilateral security mechanisms is concerned, it should be highlighted that communication, cooperation and coordination between or among Asia-Pacific nations have increased considerably unlike past. In explanation, creation and activism of ASEAN and ASF (ASEAN Regional Forum), the exchange of delegations among nations, visits of policy makers and government officials have together resulted in ensuring mutual consensus over greater cooperation on region’s security. In addition, nations of Asia-Pacific, at present, have mutual aim and agreement to control unnecessary acquisition of both traditional and weapons of mass destruction so that they could satisfy other countries that have plans or inclination towards getting involved in arms race following their rivals. For example, North Korea perceives threat from US presence in South Korea, thus opts out to enhance its existing missile technology besides its initiatives to become a nuclear state. Many other nations, including China and Russia, condemns this North Korean strategy and put efforts to bring conflicting nations on desk for negotiations, arbitration or mediation so that both could resolve conflicts by means of peaceful talks / discussions and reconcile for sake of Asia-Pacific and security assurance. Hence, in this way, nations collaborate not only for arms control but also for conflict resolution. Finally, ASEAN nations have formed joint defense agreements, which also include Maritime Defense, to ensure security and peace all across Asia-Pacific region (Ball, 1999). Summing the above, it must be mentioned that China is focused to accomplish its goal of self-reliance in production of top quality technology to arm its security forces with 5th generation weapons. So, in conclusion, China is preparing to become, militarily, as powerful as of USA and Russia, while preparing Pakistan so that it could defend against India’s any expected or unexpected military intrusion in near future. USA and allies, on the other hand, supports India through sale of sophisticated traditional weapons so that it could compete against China. Indeed, heavily military spending is a direct result of what pundits call an ‘Economic Rise of China’ which has now started reshaping world’s, more precisely, Asia-Pacific’s order. Obviously, weapons are produced and acquired for use and reuse, if though not in present, then in future of course. Hence, security in the light of above explanation could not be ensured in Asia-Pacific region, unless China and opponent parties (including USA that believes in back-channel diplomacy) give up for world’s peace. I would end up this analysis on this thought provoking quote, “Many Chinese policymakers and analysts are, thereby, convinced that the United States poses the most significant long-term external threat to China’s national rejuvenation and regional aspirations” (Medeiros, 2005). Lastly, if China and USA just forgo their self-created aims, objectives and aspirations about ruling this earth by reinforcing another ‘new world order’ as well as give up their hidden agenda, then not only Asia-Pacific but also entire globe will observe peace and prosperity, an ultimate aim of humanity. References: Fairbank, JK, ‘China’s foreign policy in historical perspective’, China perceived: images and policies in Chinese-American relations, Vintage Books, New York, 1974, pp. 41–60. Fitzgerald, S, (1977) ‘Chinese approaches to world affairs’, China and the world, Australian National University Press, Canberra, pp. 1–24. Hunt, M. (1984) ‘Chinese foreign relations in historical perspective,’ in H Harding (ed.), China’s foreign relations in the 1980s, Yale University Press, New Haven, pp. 1–42. Zhang, F, (2009) ‘Regionalization in the Tianxia? Continuity and change in China’s foreign policy’, in E Kavalski (ed.), China and the global politics of regionalization, Ashgate, Surrey pp. 19–32 Medeiros, Evan (2005) “Strategic Hedging and the Future of Asia-Pacific Stability” The Washington Quarterly, 29:1, pp. 145–167 Available at http://www.twq.com/06winter/docs/06winter_medeiros.pdf Grumbine, Edward (2007) “China’s Emergence and the Prospects for Global Sustainability” Bio Science Vol. 57 No. 3 pp. 249-255 Available at http://www.nature.org/wherewework/greatrivers/files/grumbine_china_bioscience.pdf Ball, Desmond (1999) “Multilateral security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region: prospects and possibilities” Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies Available at http://dr.ntu.edu.sg/bitstream/handle/10220/4410/RSIS-WORKPAPER_2.pdf?sequence=1 Cossa, Ralph, Brad Glosserman, Michael McDevitt, Nirav Patel, James Przystup and Brad Roberts (2009) “The United States and the Asia-Pacific Region: Security Strategy for the Obama Administration” Center for New American Security Available at http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA498204&Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf Acharya, Amitav (2003) “Seeking Security in the Dragon’s Shadow: China and South East Asia in the Emerging Asian Disorder” Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies Available at https://dr.ntu.edu.sg/bitstream/handle/10220/4446/RSIS-WORKPAPER_52.pdf?sequence=1 Read More