|
Since the liberalisation of economy in 1978, China has progress
much to the awe of the World. Coupled with its defence expenditures
and arms modernisation, this has prompted concerns of a “China
threat” theory.
However, the “China threat” theory is untenable when we
examine the rationale behind China’s increasing defence budget and
arms modernisation.
China is severely limited in it’s power projection
capabilities and its present intentions appears benign.
In
addition, economic inter-dependence on the World, insufficient
finance, external and domestic constraints will continue to hinder and
moderate its path towards modernisation.
In so far as the Southeast Asian states are concerned, China is not
likely to pose a threat in the next 10 to 15 years. The World would
have to continue to engage China and integrate China into the World
Order as a dis-integrated China will posed an even bigger problem.
China’s rise as a regional and world power will be a reality and the
world would have to come to terms with this fact.
The Southeast Asian states’ strategy of developing multi-lateral
regional security dialogue seems in the right direction for dealing
with an emerging China. The more inter-dependent China is on the
world, the least is the possibility of it being a threat to the Region
and the World.
|