The
China Containment Policy is a current political
belief that U.S. foreign policy
strives to diminish the economic and political growth of the
People’s Republic of China
. The term, which primarily originates from
political analysts in China , harks of the U.S. containment policy against the former Soviet Union
during the Cold
War.
Taken to its national conclusion, proponents of this realist theory
claim the U.S. will or needs to seek a divided and weak China to
continue its
hegemony in
Asia. It is thought this shall be accomplished by
establishing military, economic, and diplomatic ties to countries
adjacent to China's borders.
If so, American proponents of this policy
espouse U.S. military activities in Afghanistan
, Uzbekistan
, Tajikistan
, South
Korea
, and Japan
are only
U.S. intentions to diminish the P.R.C. regional power.
Additionally, U.S. efforts to improve
relations with India
and Vietnam
would also
be examples of the U.S. utilizing its economic influence to "box
in" the P.R.C.
This version of containment should not be confused with the
previous versions of the theory initially proposed by
George Kennan in the 1940s to counter the
Comintern. This original version, which
later expanded to include the P.R.C. after 1949, included shutting
off all trade, cultural and educational exchanges, and political
recognition to the P.R.C. starting with a formal denormalization of
diplomatic relations.
It may also be noted that the question of the
legitimacy of the P.R.C. versus the Republic of China
(Taiwan) as the rightful representatives of the
Chinese people under international law and as recognized by the
United Nations was within this
context.
Justification
Chinese analysts put forward as justification for the policy
deriving from some U.S. concerns of China's rapidly expanding
military. Additionally, China feels the U.S. has indicted the
P.R.C. for its ever-growing trade deficit with the United States,
its
poor
human rights record, and its aggressive stance on annexing
Taiwan.
Chinese political commentators often portray this attitude as
current U.S. foreign policy. This opinion is often reported in
mainstream
Chinese media
outlets as a primary goal of U.S. policy. Former
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice denied there was such a
policy.
The 2006
U.S.
National
Security Strategy states that China has 'the greatest potential
of any nation to militarily compete with the US and field
disruptive military technologies that over time offset traditional
US advantages.' The document continues by stating that China must
be more open in reporting its military expenditures and refrain
from "locking up" energy supplies by continuing to obtain energy
contracts with disreputable regimes in
Africa
and
Central Asia. The policy assumes
that measures should be taken against China to prevent it from
seeking hegemony in the
Asia-Pacific
region and/or worldwide.
Strategic alliances
US – India: It is assumed was established or
reconfirmed during Bush’s visit to India in March 2006. The media
speculated about the US using India to contain China, claims that
the Indian officials publicly denied.
US
– Japan – Australia: Labeled by the Asian media as a
"little NATO
against
China" or the new "triple alliance", or "the axis of democracy" by
the Economist.
Condoleezza Rice’s visit to
Australia in
March 2006 for the "trilateral security forum" with the Japanese
foreign minister
Taro Aso and his
Australian counterpart
Alexander
Downer.
Japan - Australia: On March 15, 2007 both nations
signed a strategic military partnership agreement, which analysts
believe is aimed at alienating China.
Challenges
This section of the article sounds like a paid propaganda for the Chinese government.
Australia: Australia has a growing dependency on
China’s market. Its mining industry is booming thanks to China.
Ahead of the visit by Condoleezza Rice and her warning about China
becoming a "negative force"
Australian Foreign Affairs
Minister, Alexander Downer, warned that Australia does not
agree with a policy of containment of China. Australia has recently
initiated an annual security dialogue with China.
India: India's trade with China is growing at a
pace that could overtake the US – Indian trade by the end of the
decade. By the end of 2007 China will emerge as India’s largest
trading partner. Bush’s visit to India is seen also as an attempt
to boost bilateral trade and keep some influence by offering India
something that only US can provide, high nuclear technology. China
is USA’s main trading partner while India ranks 24.
Japan: Although the economy of the United States
is 4.2 times larger than China’s, China has already overtaken the
US as Japan’s largest trading partner. China gives imports from
Japan preference and priority over the US which has been an
important factor in the recovery of Japan's for a decade stagnant
economy.
See also
References
- US denies containment policy against China.
China
Daily. March 17, 2006.
- Hawkins, William R (June 2, 2007). The dangers in talking to China. Asia Times
Online.
- Bush,
George (March 2006). The National Security Strategy of the United States
of America. The White House.
- Feng, Huiyun (2007). Chinese strategic culture and foreign
policy decision-making: Confucianism, leadership and war.
Routledge. p.81. ISBN 978-0415418157.
- Nuclear deal no threat to China, Pak:
Narayanan. March 2006. Online News.
- Gilani, Iftikhar (March 18, 2006). "US-India N-deal should not threaten Pakistan,
China". Daily Times.
- Australia and Japan cosy up. The Economist. March
16, 2007.
- Jain, Purnendra (March 18, 2006). "A 'little NATO' against China". Asia Times
Online.
- Weisman, Steven (March 17, 2006). "Rice and Australian Counterpart Differ About
China". The New York Times.
- Graeme Dobell (March 18, 2007). Japan, Australia declare strategic partnership.
ABC News Online Australia.
- Walters, Patrick; Callick, Rowan (March 16, 2007). India's inclusion in security pact risks alienating
China. The Australian.
- Thakurta, Paranjoy Guha (March 15, 2006). "China could overtake US's India trade".
Asia
Times Online.
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