China’s Foreign Policy on the Issues of the South China Sea and Diaoyu Islands.doc

Chinas Foreign Policy on the Issues of the South China Sea and Diaoyu IslandsRecently, South China Sea issues arouse global focus on China. Disputes between China and ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) put a big challenge for peace in Asia, which cause the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Japan, and Australia to interfere in the issues. In fact, South Sea is an indispensable part of Peoples Republic of China, but as it is far away from the mainland, it has been under the control of neighboring countries for a long time.The South China Sea abounds in oil and natural gas resources. Besides, the South China Sea is an important pathway for China's foreign trade and energy transportation. The navigational freedom and security of the South China Sea is critical for the country's economy and opening up.In fact, nowadays, some southeastern countries, such as the Philippines, Vietnam, are developing the South China Sea. Recently, supported by the United States and other developed countries, some Southeastern Asia countries even declaimed the sovereign of the South China Sea, which infuriate the sensation of Chinese people. China government has repeatedly expected the friendly cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to make the South China Sea safe and expressed the hope of safe co-developing of the South China Sea. Whats more, China continually insists that each country's navigational and flight freedom in the South China Sea area under the international law should be fully guaranteed. China also vows to make joint efforts with others to participate in international cooperation on regional offshore safety, an official surnamed Liu said.In fact, some Chinese people are not satisfied with the governments peaceful reaction to the issue. Some people even criticize the governments inaction on the issue rather than some inefficient remarks. Those who are aggressive with the issue should be highly praised by their devoted patriotism, but they ignore the complex international situation China is confronted with. After America has declared in high profile her return to Asia to maintain and enhance its leading status in Asia, the situation of Asia becomes tense and turbulent. In fact, the United States has never left Asia and the so-called "returning to Asia" strategy means that the United States seeks to establish, maintain and reinforce its leading status in Asia again. There is no doubt that the large economy market in Asia is the essential reason for Americas return. Asia is the most important economic development region in the early period of the 21st century; although Asia is still in the shadow of financial crisis, the economic growth of Asia succeed maintaining a rapid rate. “Returning to Asia” can help America find more cooperation and drag its economy out of the recession. However, there must be inevitable military actions after Americas declaration. In fact, America has already announced its plan to place troops in Australia next year. It is obvious that its aim is to look for better access to the South China Sea, the source of much friction between China and many other Pacific nations. Americas ambition is to control the issue and lead the issue to a situation where America benefits most rather than Asians benefit. It is also intended to counterbalance Chinas growing power which is an uncertain factor in Americas foreign policy. Actually, America is the real driving force of the escalating tension of the South China Sea. The Americas behavior of interfering in other countries domestic affairs can be attributed to the hegemonism. “Any move, which is designated to multilateralize or internationalize the South China Sea issue, will make the question more complex and neither will it help”, according to a Defense Ministry spokesman. It is not a threat, but a truth. Any unrelated sovereign country has no right, no stance, and no say on the issue. It is foreseeable that Asia will become more important in international relations, and more frequent conflicts, disputes and troubles will break out in future. In the East Asia summit, Premier Wen Jiabao reaffirmed China's stance on the South China Sea, stressing the East Asia summit was not the right forum to discuss the issue which was discussed by America and other ASEAN countries more than once. He said the dispute should be resolved among directly related sovereign countries through friendly consultation and negotiation in a peaceful way.  China government believes that China and ASEAN countries have the ability and wisdom to maintain the navigational freedom and security of the South China Sea and boost regional prosperity and stability.The historic dispute on the sovereignty of Diaoyu Islands is also a challenge for Sino-Japan relations and a threat for peace in Asia. It is a vitally important, sensitive issue for both sides to cope with and becomes a crucial limit for bilateral ties. The factors for the disputes rooted deeply in history problems. Diaoyu islands have been parts of Chinese territory since ancient times, serving as important fishing grounds administered by the province of Taiwan. However, as Taiwan was ceded to Japan in the Treaty of Shimonoseki in 1895, Diaoyu islands were taken over by Japanese. Although Taiwan was returned in the Treaty of San Francisco, Diaoyu islands were not given back to its mother land. They are still under the control of Japanese up to now. It is more difficult for Japan to give the islands back to China because of the rich fishing and oil of Diaoyu islands.The collision incident in 2010 is a crucial turndown of Sino-Japan relations. On September 7, 2010, a Chinese fishing boat collided with patrol boats of the Japan Coast Guard near the islands. The trawler was taken by the Japan Coast Guard, and the captain and crew were held in custody in Japan pending possible charges. China government strongly protested the Japan Coast Guards illegal detention of Chinese fishing boat and demanded an immediate release of the Chinese fishermen .The crew was released on September 13, 2010, while the captain was held until September 24, and none were charged. The incident disrupted official and non-official exchanges and activities between the two countries. As we all know that Japan is supported by America which makes Japan more self-opinionated. Sometimes the relation between China and Japan is closely related to the relations between China and America. America does not want to see the relation between China and Japan is too close neither too strained because America does not want any of them to become stronger. The issue of history is also a barrier for Sino-Japanese relations. China and Japan continually debate over the actual numbers killed in the Nanjing Massacre. According to our governments official statistics, at least 300,000 civilians were murdered by Japanese military troops while Japan argues it to be far less ranging from 40,000 to 200,000. In fact, there is a majority of Japanese doubting the existence of the massacre.As China took the replacement of Japan to be the second largest economy in the world, the competition between China and Japan becomes increasingly fierce. The relations of Sino-Japan are neither friends nor enemies. To be precise, it is cooperation as well as counterbalance. By analyzing the most two influenced issues China is facing, we can understand the great pressure of our government. If our government resorts to military forces to resolve the issues, it will break the principle of peaceful foreign policy and consequently satisfy some countries motive for war, and eventually put damage to Chinese people lives and benefit. What China government is supposed to resort to is the peaceful talking with the directly issue-related countries. Furthermore, the folk exchanges between the related countries should be highly encouraged. Official exchanges are insufficient. Only when people between two countries get familiar with each other is it possible for mutual understanding and trust achieved. Most importantly, China should enhance its power. Although China has become stronger, but it is not powerful enough. It is a truth that now China cannot share the equal says on international affairs as America. Power wins more says; power is everything. We have to admit that China is still inferior to America in some fields such as economy, defense, education and technology, etc. That is why sometimes China is confronted with threats from America. China is unable to fight against America, and America is also not daring to fight against China. What action America usually takes is to make deliberate provocation or make troubles for China. For example, recently America continues to advocate Philippines and Japan to argue over the issues of territory. It is admirable for China governments cold mind and rational response to the complicated situation. China government is far-sighted, intelligent and competent, not weak and not submissive. Peace still is the theme of our age; war is detested by people all over the world. China should continue pursuing an independent and peaceful foreign policy directed toward peace. The basic objectives of this policy are to safeguard the independence and sovereignty of our nation, strive to create a long-standing and favorable international environment for Chinas deep reform, economys sustainable development and Chinese peoples well-being.Reference material: