Australian "Pearl and Stimulus" website article on September 27, original title: How to view "China Threat" - Asian Perspective
For decades, the relationship between China and the West has been interfered with by the so-called "China Threat Theory". This theory believes that China cannot and will not rise peacefully and that the West must restrict it. Why does the West, led by the United States, think China is a threat? There is a deep-rooted concept that the benign combination of democracy and capitalism is an original creation in the West, a gift to other countries, and the only way to achieve sustainable economic and social progress. China poses a challenge to this concept, demonstrating another way of socio-economic progress. China's support for a multipolar world centered on United Nations is also inconsistent with the international order dominated by the United States (hegemony). The unprecedented growth of China's economy has lifted more than 800 million people out of poverty and made great progress in scientific and military capabilities, which has made the West jealous. According to the current trend, China will soon surpass the United States. Now, the United States is trying every means to contain China. As the relevant report points out, "The United States' approach in Asia, as its Indo-Pacific strategy, shows, is to establish coordination among Asian allies to confront or contain China."
Then can the United States contain China? It is unlikely, because China's Asian neighbors are unlikely to accept the view on the "China threat" uncritically. In fact, as John Menadou, former head of the Australian Prime Minister’s cabinet, pointed out in his harsh criticism of the United States, the United States has squandered its moral authority through a series of disastrous military actions, the most notable of which is the tragic war in Iaah. The United States has been undermined by political polarization, which explains its inability to deal with the epidemic. The United States is also one of the few countries in the world with a decline in life expectancy. Therefore, the United States is no longer a trustworthy socio-economic model for Asia and the non-Western world.
The United States' Western allies - especially Australia, can learn a lot from Asia when dealing with relations with China. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong elaborated on how Asia deals with China’s problems. “For some countries, it is natural to approach one side or the other, but most countries hope not to be forced to choose between the United States and China.” A former South Korean foreign minister expressed a similar view, “We want to see that Sino-US relations are more stable, because from our perspective, both countries are important… we should not be forced to choose.” Currently, South Korea is facing pressure to play an important role in the US-led strategy to contain China. But South Korean elites have different views on China-South Korea relations. In addition, 90% of Koreans do not consider China to be an opponent.
India is another intriguing example. India believes that China is a strategic competitor. India, at least nominally, is a key part of the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific strategy to contain China. But India, like Singapore, strives to avoid taking sides. Therefore, although India is a member of the "quad-lateral mechanism", it is also a member of the BRICS country, and also participates in the East Asia Summit, the SCO , etc. Among all these groups, China is a key player, and India is not uncomfortable with such a key player on the global stage.
In short, it is unlikely that the practice of forcing Asian countries to choose between the United States and China. Even close Asian allies in the United States have shown that they are more willing to go their own way in geopolitics. (Author Ianatur Islam, translated by Chen Junan) ▲
