China

Fire of Liberty

During the past week & weekend, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has been traveling throughout Asia to mull over the regional issues with the Heads of States in India, Japan, South Korea and China. Also during her trip, several articles and commentaries have popped up in the various newspapers in the US. The two commentaries that have piqued my interest is this one by Joseph S. Nye and this one by Wenran Jiang which appeared opposite each other in The San Diego Union Tribune.

In his piece, Professor Nye points out that the Chinese are re-emerging as a source of power throughout Asia and will reach an economic parity with the US by 2025. While the professor notes the economic he argues that the Chinese are a long way from competing with the US militarily and their actions will be based on what the US does. He then dabbles into the "moon-bat" territory when he argues that nations only strike out when cornered much like Japan did in its attack on Pearl Harbor. I guess Nye could care less that Japan was a military empire during the 1930's (Does Manchuria, Nanking ring a bell) which was staking out World conquest and not the absurdities of the US cutting of steel or oil. China has also sought to expand its empire in Asia and are building a military to show it, 12.5% defense expenditure isn't peanuts.

Contrast that to Wenran Jiang who notes that the rise of China is indeed a growing threat to Asia. This fear of a rising China is evident in the new containment policy being constructed by the United States and Japan. When the US and Japan increase their capabilities to deter the Chinese Dragon in the event it attacks Taiwan or decides to venture out in Asia you realize the seriousness of the situation. Due to this, Wenran Jiang asks if the EU is willing to prevent the rise of a militaristic China or are they going to appease them and sell countless millions of dollars worth of military armaments and equipment.

Whatever side you fall on, the fact is that the Chinese are rising as a power in Asia that could be good news or bad news based on China's actions. I prefer peace and hope that China keeps its powder dry on Taiwan and other territorial problems. Though peace is preferable, the US and Japan needs to be ready for Chinese aggression if they initiate some action. This is definitely true when you look at this article in The Christian Science Monitor on the strengthening of the relationship between Japan and the US. I foresee a spread of democracy in Asia with such a partnership.

To get a better grasp on the rise of China, check out this debate in the Jan/Feb 2005 issue of Foreign Policy between Zbigniew Brzezinski and John Mearsheimer. And for a non-foreign policy/security perspective of China's rise check out this piece by National Review Online's John Derbyshire, it's pretty good. Also check out this essay from The Prospect on China. All good reads.