China wins hearts in SE Asia
I. Wibowo, Jakarta
The Jakarta Post (Indonesia)
Relations between China and several Southeast Asian nations have been fast improving. ASEAN leaders now regularly speak highly of China, and of the nation's recent successes. This positive atmosphere was unheard of 10 years ago.
During his visit to Laos in 2000, Chinese president Jiang Zemin received a very warm welcome, in which "banners were hung across the capital lauding Jiang, and endless banquets were held in his honor". This scene was replicated in Cambodia, where over 200,000 cheering schoolchildren welcomed Jiang's motorcade.
In the early '90s, Cambodia opposed China's involvement with the Khmer Rouge. While Myanmar, suffering from an embargo implemented by Western nations, showed its gratitude to China for its support by bettering economic and political ties between the nations.
Thailand is no exception from this pattern. A long-time British and U.S. ally, the nation now considers its diplomatic relationship with China -- along with India -- essential to furthering its own position in Asia.
Vietnam has been at war with China since 1979, but from 1991, when diplomatic relations between the nations were restored, Vietnam's relations with China have continued to improve.
In February 2002 the two nations proposed the "Four good themes": good neighbors, good friends, good camaraderie and good partners. As a result, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, which all hug the Mekong River, have benefited tremendously from trade with China. Under the framework of the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), China has implemented a development program in the Mekong Basin. It has been noticeable that China has paid great attention to this region through aid-giving. It is within the Mekong area that China's soft power is most evident.
Similar trends have been evidenced in Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Indonesia. Malaysia, under Dr. Mahathir, has developed a close relationship with China, and at both economic and diplomatic levels the two countries are on good terms.
Singapore remains a "natural friend" of China as the majority of the city-state's population are of Chinese descent. Although their relationship was strained during the '70s, as of 1990 it has been reinvigorated by increased trade and two-way visits from the nations' leaders. Meanwhile, relations between China and the Philippines have been caught in a dangerous dispute over Mischief Reef.
Yet, in the past five years, relations between the two countries have been bettered due to high-level exchanges. The Philippines have also received a loan of US$500 million to build railroads.
Relations between Indonesia and China suffered after a diplomatic break-up lasting 32 years. Yet, over the past eight years, Indonesia and China have worked to better this situation. Visits by leaders of the two countries have been more frequent, while exports and imports have grown. When the Asian financial crisis hit Indonesia, China also increased its assistance to the region.
In addition to US$400 million in stand-by loans as part of an IMF rescue package, China also increased its export credit facilities by $200 million. During the 2004 tsunami disaster, China was among the first of nations to provide not only financial assistance to Indonesia, but also medical assistance.
Throughout Joseph Nye's term in office, China increased its "soft power". This differs from "hard power" in that soft power does not rely on military strength to subjugate a country, but rather on values and culture. If power is defined as a means to acquire the intended result, then soft power is still within this boundary of definition, except that it rejects the use of force or violence.
"A country may obtain the outcome it wants in world politics because other countries -- admiring its values, emulating its example, aspiring to its level of prosperity and openness -- want to follow it," Nye says.
The increase in China's soft power is evident among the various cultures to which citizens of ASEAN nations belong. One observer said, "Chinese culture, cuisine, calligraphy, cinema, curios, art, acupuncture, herbal, medicine and fashion fads have penetrated into regional culture." He also says Chinese films, pop-music and film stars, such a Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi, are now extremely popular among Southeast Asia's youth.
Mainland Chinese brands such as Hai'er, TCL and Huawei have also become increasingly popular in many Southeast Asian societies. According to a poll conducted in Thailand in 2003, 76 percent of respondents considered China to be Thailand's closest friend.
The writer is the head of the Center for Chinese Studies at the University of Indonesia.
During his visit to Laos in 2000, Chinese president Jiang Zemin received a very warm welcome, in which "banners were hung across the capital lauding Jiang, and endless banquets were held in his honor". This scene was replicated in Cambodia, where over 200,000 cheering schoolchildren welcomed Jiang's motorcade.
In the early '90s, Cambodia opposed China's involvement with the Khmer Rouge. While Myanmar, suffering from an embargo implemented by Western nations, showed its gratitude to China for its support by bettering economic and political ties between the nations.
Thailand is no exception from this pattern. A long-time British and U.S. ally, the nation now considers its diplomatic relationship with China -- along with India -- essential to furthering its own position in Asia.
Vietnam has been at war with China since 1979, but from 1991, when diplomatic relations between the nations were restored, Vietnam's relations with China have continued to improve.
In February 2002 the two nations proposed the "Four good themes": good neighbors, good friends, good camaraderie and good partners. As a result, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, which all hug the Mekong River, have benefited tremendously from trade with China. Under the framework of the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), China has implemented a development program in the Mekong Basin. It has been noticeable that China has paid great attention to this region through aid-giving. It is within the Mekong area that China's soft power is most evident.
Similar trends have been evidenced in Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Indonesia. Malaysia, under Dr. Mahathir, has developed a close relationship with China, and at both economic and diplomatic levels the two countries are on good terms.
Singapore remains a "natural friend" of China as the majority of the city-state's population are of Chinese descent. Although their relationship was strained during the '70s, as of 1990 it has been reinvigorated by increased trade and two-way visits from the nations' leaders. Meanwhile, relations between China and the Philippines have been caught in a dangerous dispute over Mischief Reef.
Yet, in the past five years, relations between the two countries have been bettered due to high-level exchanges. The Philippines have also received a loan of US$500 million to build railroads.
Relations between Indonesia and China suffered after a diplomatic break-up lasting 32 years. Yet, over the past eight years, Indonesia and China have worked to better this situation. Visits by leaders of the two countries have been more frequent, while exports and imports have grown. When the Asian financial crisis hit Indonesia, China also increased its assistance to the region.
In addition to US$400 million in stand-by loans as part of an IMF rescue package, China also increased its export credit facilities by $200 million. During the 2004 tsunami disaster, China was among the first of nations to provide not only financial assistance to Indonesia, but also medical assistance.
Throughout Joseph Nye's term in office, China increased its "soft power". This differs from "hard power" in that soft power does not rely on military strength to subjugate a country, but rather on values and culture. If power is defined as a means to acquire the intended result, then soft power is still within this boundary of definition, except that it rejects the use of force or violence.
"A country may obtain the outcome it wants in world politics because other countries -- admiring its values, emulating its example, aspiring to its level of prosperity and openness -- want to follow it," Nye says.
The increase in China's soft power is evident among the various cultures to which citizens of ASEAN nations belong. One observer said, "Chinese culture, cuisine, calligraphy, cinema, curios, art, acupuncture, herbal, medicine and fashion fads have penetrated into regional culture." He also says Chinese films, pop-music and film stars, such a Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi, are now extremely popular among Southeast Asia's youth.
Mainland Chinese brands such as Hai'er, TCL and Huawei have also become increasingly popular in many Southeast Asian societies. According to a poll conducted in Thailand in 2003, 76 percent of respondents considered China to be Thailand's closest friend.
The writer is the head of the Center for Chinese Studies at the University of Indonesia.
That is soooo stupid of KI Media
ReplyDeleteto think that China is against
democracy. If they were, they would
not have given 10 millions USD for
our April democratic commune
election. Moreover, China is slowly
and carefully reforming their
their government to democracy in
a way that it will not destroyed
their country. That is they will
start within villages, and if
successful, they will move up to
towns, then to cities, then to
provinces, before they go for the
entire country. The Chinese
government can't affort any error
because it can caused night mares
for them.
Last time I check, China is still a "communist country". Get it?
ReplyDeleteWrong, China is not a communist
ReplyDeletecountry. They are a Free Market
Capitalist Autocracy. However,
in each village, the leader are
elected by villagers instead of
appointed as it used to be.
Once, this shows benefit to China,
they will take it up to the next
level (city); that is they will
allowed people to elect a leader
of a city ... . and they will
continue to move up until people
will actually get to elect leaders
of China. It is slow, but very
safe.
China are not stupid to have
dog-eat-dog to destroy their
country. Get the picture?