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December 23, 2005
Peaceful development
A new white paper from the Chinese government represents its latest attempt to downplay fears of its rapid growth:
"To stick to the road of peaceful development is the inevitable way for China to attain national prosperity and strength and its people's happiness," said the document, which was issued by Premier Wen Jiabao's State Council, or cabinet. It added: "China's development will never be a threat to anyone."
[...]
"China's road of peaceful development is a brand-new one for mankind in pursuit of civilization and progress, the inevitable way for China to achieve modernization and a serious choice and solemn promise made by the Chinese government and the Chinese people," the paper said, drawing a distinction between China's rise and that of Japan a generation ago. "China did not seek hegemony in the past, nor does it now, and will not do so in the future when it gets stronger."
The Post's piece goes on to note that some in the Communist Party assign negative connotations to the term "rise." The preferred nomenclature henceforth will be "peaceful development." I have to say I'm with the party on this one. The notion of "China's rise" has created a nice little cult of fear-mongering around it. But while "peaceful development" may be a tad more difficult to demonize, I'm sure it won't stop some from trying.
And among the first of those to try, perhaps, would be new Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso. He certainly has a different take on China's "peaceful development:"
A neighboring country has an atomic bomb and its military spending has been rising for 12 consecutive years. There is no transparency and I view that as a concern, a threat," Aso told a news conference.
But a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tokyo's position was that it did not see the Chinese military as a "direct threat", meaning it did not expect an invasion by Chinese troops.
I'm glad Japan doesn't expect an invasion by Chinese troops, for that would be rather foolish. The important thing, however, is that Aso's statement really isn't far off-base. China does neighbor Japan, it does possess nuclear weaponry, and its military spending is anything but transparent. While labeling China as a "threat" does stretch reason a bit, labeling the country as a "concern" is perfectly legitimate and, I might suggest, rather accurate.
But for the Japanese Foreign Minister to speak so truthfully is to disregard any hope that the statement will be taken seriously, for the Japan-China relationship is anything if not dysfunctional. On cue, the Chinese Foreign Ministry shot down Aso's statement:
China pursues the road of peaceful development. China's development has made worldly recognized contribution to the peace and stability of the region and the world and presented enormous opportunities for the development of Asian countries, including Japan. This is a fact obvious to all. It is extremely irresponsible for a Japanese foreign minister to make such remarks. One can't help question the real motive of the Japanese Foreign Minister to foment a groundless argument of China's threat at such a moment.
Our friend Qin Gang at the Foreign Ministry is conveniently tying all the rhetorical threads together for us. First, there's absolutely no reference to a "rise" of any kind, but only to "peaceful development." The he notes the irreseponsibility of Aso's statements, not based on their merit, but rather on the nationality of who spoke them. Finally, we descend into the typical questioning of Japanese motives, etc.
All in all, nothing new in the tragic comedy that is Japan-China relations.
Posted by Daniel Widome at 04:45 PM to Asia
December 05, 2005
Enjoying the mandate
Koizumi has obviously been enjoying his recently renewed electoral mandate. A couple weeks ago, he announced proposed revisions to the Japanese constitution:
[Koizumi] urged Japan to match its weight as the world's second biggest economy by cooperating more with the international community, a reference to the LDP's planned overhaul of the Constitution. "We need to take up the challenges of strife and conflict that may face international society over the next 50 years," Koizumi said.
[...]
The proposed LDP revision keeps the clause banning war, but clearly stipulates Japan may keep a military force for self-defense and for participating in international peacekeeping efforts.
"In addition to activities needed for self defense ... the defense forces can take part in efforts to maintain international peace and security under international cooperation, as well as to keep fundamental public order in our country," the draft says.
No surprise, really. Not only is this perfectly consistent with Koizumi's reputation, but it's also quite logical. Japan has a long way to go to reconcile its own collective historical memory, but it's a mature nation with the second largest economy in the world. Even with the constitutional revisions, Japan will still possess the most pacifist constitution of any developed country.
But some details are less than optimal. First, he announced his proposed changes at an LDP rally celebrating the 50th anniversary of the party. Constitutional amendments are surely political to one degree or another, but the staging of his announcement appears to be a tad partisan. And second, some of the proposed changes are less than optimal:
The draft constitution also weakens provisions on the separation of church and state.
It says the public institutions may engage in religious activity "in cases within the boundary of social rituals and customary activities."
The present charter totally bans the state from religious activity.
[...]
The LDP's draft would also make it easier to amend the constitution, requiring only majorities in both houses of parliament to endorse a change instead of the current two-thirds.
That religious bit is clearly aimed at Yasukuni, and at clearly up any perceived impropriety of Koizumi's repeated visits to the shrine. As for the process bit, I tend to prefer my constitutions harder to amend.
On cue, the Chinese protested:
Given the current atmosphere and conditions, the 7th China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) Leaders' Meeting is postponed to be held until an appropriate time. During this period, China will continue to perform its functions as a coordinator for the cooperation between the three parties. It is hoped that the cooperation between the three parties can develop steadily despite the various obstacles.
And again on cue, Koizumi responded with characteristic aplomb:
"China is the one who decided to postpone the talks. That is fine with me."
"Yasukuni isn't something that can be used as a diplomatic card. Even if China and South Korea try to use it as a diplomatic card, that won't work," [Koizumi] said.
Saying it won't make it so, Junichiro, no matter how much you wish it to be.
