"In 2005, China's diplomacy has taken it through trade
disputes, intensifying claims of the "China threat," strained
Sino-Japanese ties and the challenges posed by energy security,"
Dr. Jin Canrong, an expert on international studies from Renmin University of
China, said in a December 12 China Youth Daily
report.
Meanwhile, China has vigorously advocated peace, development and
cooperation, which have become the three core principles of its
diplomatic policy, Dr. Jin said. Trade disputes with the US and the
EU demonstrate that China is growing increasingly aware of having
to defend its rights.
The year also witnessed frequent overseas visits by China's
heads of state, and dynamic multilateral diplomatic activities such
as hosting the six-party
talks on the Korean nuclear issue and Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO)
meetings.
As China's international influence continues to grow steadily,
the world is paying close attention to its every move. "Many
scholars now talk of the 'China threat' in a very serious way," Dr.
Jin said.
The claim of the "China threat" has turned out to be a
particularly "outstanding" challenge to China's diplomacy, he said,
and will accompany every step of China's development. "We should
first learn to get used to it, and then try to dispel other
people's misgivings and establish relations based on mutual trust,"
Dr. Jin added.
Another major challenge has been Japan's "aggressive" diplomatic
policy this year, especially revolving around the reform of the UN
Security Council, Dr. Jin said.
Under the rule of right-wing forces, Japan is becoming more
conservative politically. In terms of its future strategic
development, Dr. Jin predicted that the government will conduct a
national political mobilization exercise to revise its laws, with
the support of the media and through repeatedly provoking its
neighbors.
At the same time, leaning on the strategic alliance with the US,
Japan might engage in arms expansion, Dr. Jin said. And at the US'
request and help, a more "powerful" Japan will then show a
conciliatory attitude and try to maintain a power balance vis-à-vis
its neighbors.
Globally speaking, this year has been characterized by three
major developments, Dr. Jin said.
First, the tsunami that devastated the Indian Ocean region last
December, and Hurricane Katrina that swept across the southern US
this summer only reiterated the massive destructive power of
nature.
Second, the London bombings in July, and the Jakarta bomb blast
in September indicated that anti-terrorism has turned into
protracted warfare. The US used to think that it was capable of
wiping out terrorists on its own. However, because the Internet has
helped to market and establish terrorism as an ideology, it can
only be fought through international cooperation, Jin
added.
Third, with regard to UN reform, developing countries want to
have more say in the world body while developed countries wish to
raise its work efficiency. The ongoing reform has therefore
resulted in an important structural change in international
relations, Jin said.
(China.org.cn by Shao Da, December 16, 2005)