BEIJING, 23 July 2012 (ANN) - As the US deploys more warships in
Asia, Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam are intensifying maritime
disputes with China.
The foreign ministers' meetings of the Asean Regional Forum held from July 10 to 12 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, centred on the situation in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific, with major powers and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations intensifying and complicating issues in East Asia.
The situation in Southeast Asia is very complex and sensitive, because the United States' strategic shift toward the Asia-Pacific is now in full swing, it has accelerated the adjustment and reinforcement of its military deployment in the Asia-Pacific region, and because maritime territorial disputes in the region are intensifying.
The foreign ministers' meetings of the Asean Regional Forum held from July 10 to 12 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, centred on the situation in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific, with major powers and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations intensifying and complicating issues in East Asia.
The situation in Southeast Asia is very complex and sensitive, because the United States' strategic shift toward the Asia-Pacific is now in full swing, it has accelerated the adjustment and reinforcement of its military deployment in the Asia-Pacific region, and because maritime territorial disputes in the region are intensifying.
The Japanese government is trying to appropriate three of China's Diaoyu Islands by "nationalising" them, while the Philippines and Vietnam, blinded by greed for resources and acting in collusion, have attempted to draw other Asean members into their bilateral disputes with China. At the meetings in Phnom Penh, they tried in vain to persuade the other Asean members to agree to a strongly worded document supporting them in their South China Sea disputes with China. At the same time, both have tried to introduce other external forces, such as the US and Japan, into the South China Sea disputes.
Meanwhile, the US is shifting its strategic focus to the Asia-Pacific region and is seeking to dominate the Asia-Pacific agenda. The US Secretary of Defence Leon E. Panetta elaborated the US' new Asia-Pacific military strategy at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on June 2. Instead of the previously announced "return to Asia" strategy, he put forward a new formulation of "rebalancing": deepening and broadening bilateral and multilateral partnerships, enhancing and adapting the US military's enduring presence in this region, and making new investments in the capabilities needed to project power in Asia-Pacific. But the new initiative must include a basic set of shared principles - principles that promote international rules and order so as to advance peace and security in the region.
Panetta also announced that by 2020, 60 per cent of the US fleet, including six aircraft carriers, will be deployed in the Asia-Pacific region. As for increased US involvement in the South China Sea, Panetta said the US supports the efforts of Asean and China to develop a binding code of conduct that would create a rules-based framework for regulating the conduct of parties in the South China Sea, including the prevention and management of disputes.
In response to the proposal by some Asean members that discussions should begin on a code of conduct in the South China Sea, China has expressed willingness to consider the proposal, but it has emphasised that a code of conduct can only serve to promote mutual understanding and trust in the South China Sea and it will not resolve the disputes. As the disputes are not between China and Asean or any other organizations, but between China and the individual claimants, they should be settled through nation-to-nation negotiations.
Japan is fully cooperating with Washington's strategic shift in an attempt to make use of the US as it tries to expand its jurisdictional waters by fair means or foul, and strengthen its illegal occupation of China's Diaoyu Islands. At the same time, Japan is stepping up its efforts to intervene in the South China Sea, and colluding with the Philippines and Vietnam to stir up trouble simultaneously in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.
Asean consists of a number of small and medium-sized countries, which have become stronger by grouping together. Its members Vietnam and the Philippines seem to be using the significance of their geopolitical position in the competition between major powers to maximise their own interests.
Relations between China and the US, and China and its neighbours are delicately poised. China's neighbours are seeking to balance their need for economic cooperation with China and security guarantees from the US; the US seeks to strike a balance between supporting its Asia-Pacific allies and maintaining strategic cooperation with China. China must adhere to its stance of resolving disputes with its neighbours through nation-to-nation negotiations and seek greater cooperation with the US.
Looking ahead, the US, China and its neighbours should show more reason, patience and wisdom in order to maintain peace and stability in the region.
The author is deputy director of the World Politics Research Institute under the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations.
9 comments:
The Chinese will only listen the sound of the big guns from the US. Diplomacy failed at the ASEAN meeting this month. ASEAN, except for Cambodia welcome the US presence and fully support its activities in the SEA sea. It's time for the US to show who's the supreme power in the world.
They come because of Australia initiated it. They did not come cus of ASEAN or china. Here comes the Christians. Why they never put their ships fleets in south America or Europe or middle east? One they hate Buddhism, 2 they dislike china, 3 they despise Asian 4 they want to protect Australia from getting weaker from china and ASEAN expansions. And Some ASEAN think they come to rescue them?!. Maybe Some of these ASEAN want to create more fresh boys and girls like the Thai and the phillipine did.? Hahahah you fool ASEAN.
If the war begin, the first attacks from China, would be the Island of Taiwen.
The US will unleash hell on China if they dare to occupy those island
U guys reckon they comin to help? You do know deep down these Anglo-Celtic countries really they despise ASIANS so much. Even here in Australia and yes most of the american military well be based in australia in the future after they down size their forces from South Korea and Japan. Some ASIANS really like to kiss the WHITEMANS ass. And yes australia and America are them countries afraid of their deep down ingrained paranoid perception of the YELLOW PERIL. All ASEAN is just a BUFFER ZONE. They really care about us Asians , my ass. DCPP Guy
The Chinese are only afraid of the white men. That's why they hate the white men so much. How hard is it to figure that out?
The European, Russia, south America , middle east, australia are all sided with USA when it come to war with china. While some ASEAN are white washed and brain washed to go against china. I feel pity for all Asian look. Soon it will white washed and all turn into Christians. And Australia are going to farang all the boys and girls of ASEAN. Since we are here, More freshies boys please
3:30 have you been to Australia? U do know not just Chinese they treat like dogs but all of our Asian race , it's not funny many asians students have been raped and killed in these countries. Some are known in news some are not. But for better life, many Asians struggle just to be excepted. I had high hopes for all united Asia groups like ASEAN but no more Asian countries are to prideful of themselves as many of us want an EU like asia but everyone blame each other and can't get along. These countries see us as a threat yes. Keep all the Asians divide later they will all kill each other . That's what these white men thinks.
And the USA is here to support Australia ?? The USA is colored blind when fighting Asian or china. When russia expand they come to kill like Vietnam war and when Australia expand they come to china sea. People get all the histories connection yet??? The other pull out , the other pull in. ASEAN is a joke. I rather join china cus we are similar look, attitude, and so on. We ASEAN are dirt poor when china were dirt poor. Now china began to pick their feet up and some ASEAN neighbor to. Now this china sea conflict. Get my drift you fool ASEAN
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