Summing-up development of China's international relations in 2016
- By Tim Collard
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E-mail China.org.cn, October 1, 2016
On October 1, China has quite a lot to celebrate during its National Day, with the establishment of a new and strengthened international position. It can fairly be said that China's global profile has never stood higher, with a consistent push forward into new and innovative areas of global prominence.
The year began with the formal opening of China's flagship project, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in January. Preparations within the context of the "Belt and Road" outreach program to establish economic cooperation projects with China's various neighbors, near and far, had been under way for some time.
Now, it's possible to deploy China's new-found economic might for financially underpinning the building and maintenance of an international trading infrastructure on an unprecedented scale.
China, here, is deploying "soft" rather than "hard" power, but the implications for global security are clear; the establishment of strong and mutually beneficial economic links between nations is the most promising way to ensure differences between nations do not lead to deteriorating relations that might threaten security.
January also saw a visit by President Xi Jinping to the Middle East. China, very sensibly, has kept well away from past involvement in this volatile region, but her higher global profile as an economic giant and a permanent member of the UN Security Council makes it necessary to deploy her power in working towards a lasting peace.
This is especially true as insecurity there could threaten the smooth workings of the "Belt and Road" initiative, and because terrorism is beginning to threaten Chinese interests, as seen in the recent attack on the Chinese Embassy in Kyrgyzstan.
Of course one of China's most significant responsibilities in 2016 was her Presidency of the G20. This involved hosting a series of top-level meetings, beginning with a gathering of Finance Ministers in Shanghai in February, and continuing with a Foreign Ministers' meeting in September to prepare for the Hangzhou Summit in early September.
China had to manage expectations: as one of the major economies least badly affected by the financial crises of 2007-08, there has been a feeling among the other major players that it should play a big role in pulling the world out of the mire. And indeed, the robustness of the Chinese economy has played a large part in global stabilization. However, China has her own problems, and cannot take on the whole responsibility for the world's woes.
The initial projects under the AIIB funding process bring hope to some of the region's least developed areas; however, it may take longer before concrete projects are in place which will bring appreciable benefits to the world at large.
At the Hangzhou Summit the essential message was that other countries might copy China in ensuring that domestic economic stimuli are brought to bear on projects that are both environmentally sustainable and promote socio-economic equality.
It is difficult to argue with this, but whether the world will follow suit is yet to be seen. Just before the Summit, the headlines were grabbed by the bilateral agreement between President Xi Jinping and his American counterpart Barack Obama to sign up to the Paris climate pact, which represents considerable progress.
China's relations with her East Asian neighbors have been somewhat overshadowed by disputes this year. Yet, on the whole, China has handled these well and worked towards consensus rather than conflict. Even the difficult relationship with Japan was improved by a trilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of China, Japan and the ROK to discuss the disruptive nuclear ambitions of the DPRK.
China and Japan have their differences; however, any threat to stability on the Korean Peninsula affects both equally, and working together on this will help to build confidence in other areas. All three regional powers were, moreover, in agreement that the activities of the DPRK will not be allowed to drive wedges between them or destabilize the region in general.
Immediately after the G20 came the ASEAN summit in Vientiane, Laos. Again, there are one or two potential conflicts, mainly over the South China Sea. However, China's approach was entirely consistent with her declared policy of pursuing cooperation while shelving difficult issues. Even relations between China and the Philippines seem to be easing, because neither party is seeking confrontation.
China is fitting increasingly into her proper leading role in the world, while not seeking confrontation or maximizing difficulties and potential conflicts. And that is as it should be.
Tim Collard is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:
http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/timcollard.htm
Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
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