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Chinese
leaders have frequently stressed that China do not seek hegemony or be
an aggressor to de-stablise the region. It’s national objectives has
been peace and development which underpin it’s rapid economic success32.
China’s intentions can be examined with respect to its benign
track records, military doctrine, attitude toward international
co-operation and it’s present status quo situation.
Benign
Track Records
If
a society’s historical and cultural patterns can provide indications
of the country’s present and future policy-making, a strong China
will be a benign China. Chinese rulers were historically
non-imperialistic, declining to conquer surrounding countries although
they possess the capability to do so. The only exception is when
non-Chinese Mongols occupied the throne. Traditional Chinese cultural
regards as shameful if one grabs economic interest by force. Chinese
Gongfu, which “has a great influence upon China’s military and
political circles”, includes a code of honour teaching that martial
arts should be used “for improving health and self-defence, not for
bullying and humiliating the weak”. Traditional morality teaches
that like Gongfu, war must have a just purpose. This norm of
righteously will greatly restrain the leaders decision to use force33.
In the words of Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamed, “ If you
look at the history of the China, they have never invaded neighbouring
countries"34. |
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32.
Edward Tang,
“China says it again : No Aggressive Intentions”, Straits Times, 5 April 97, Lee
Siew Hua, “We are not another Soviet Union in the Making: Qian”, Straits
Times, 1 May 97.
Chen Jian,
“Will China’s Development Threaten Asia-Pacific Security”,
Security Dialogue, 24:2 (June 1993), p. 194,
Yan Xuetong, “China’s Post-Cold War Security Strategy”,
Contemporary International Relations, 5:5 (May 1995), pp. 6-7.
34.
Greg
Sheridan, “Mahathir backflip on our Asian Role”, The Australian, 15 May 1995, p. 1
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