Su Hao: Asian-Pacific countries seek balance between China and US
- Source: Global Times
- [09:56 November 13 2009]
- Comments
Su Hao, director of the Asia-Pacific Research Center at the China Foreign Affairs University
Su Hao, director of the Asia-Pacific Research Center at the China Foreign Affairs University told the Global Times that with the development of China, the US’ emphasis on China and its position is an indisputable fact. The development of the Sino-US relationship plays very important role in the peaceful development of the Asian-Pacific region.
The US unswervingly pursues the US-oriented Asian-Pacific order and alliance system. But recently, the US has recognized the great influence of China in regional affairs. China has its own considerations, such as advocating regional cooperation in East Asia, which is different from the US’ so-called “Asian-Pacific concept’. That is to say, the regional cooperation in East Asia has become an unchangeable trend. At present, what China and the other East Asian countries can do to involve the US in their multilateral cooperation.
The changes in Sino-US relations are not only a bilateral affair but affect the whole Asian-Pacific region. Facing such changes, different countries in the Asian-Pacific region respond differently. After S. Korean President Lee Myung-bak took office, he began developing relations with the US for a while, but with the increasing influential power of China, S. Korea begins to make rational choices and attached more significance to Asian development. Meanwhile, Japan also recognizes that the attitude of blinding favoring the US is not suitable for Japan. Therefore, after Yukio Hatoyama took office, he put forward the concept of an “East Asia Community” and seeks a balance between China and US. As for India, from a geopolitical perspective, it is excluded from the Asian-Pacific framework, but India has positively participated in East Asian affairs. Meanwhile, recently, India coordinates between China and US and is inclined to develop relations with the US. In addition, Australia also proposes the concept of “Asian-Pacific Community” and also seeks balance between China and the US.