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China’s
modernisation programme should therefore be viewed in the same
perspective as the many countries in East Asia who enhance their
defence self-reliance due to the changing regional security
environment in order to deal with regional contingencies26.
In
addition, the Chinese perceived United States as trying to dominate
the Asia-Pacific and the whole world. Chinese analysts have portrayed
the United States as seeking to use it’s economic, scientific,
technological and military might of it’s Asian allies especially
Japan to prevent China from gaining a dominant position in the region27
Emerging
from the century of shame under the humiliation and domination of the
foreign forces, China’s leaders have projected a strong nationalist
concern to prevent any “imperialist” conspiracy to undermine
it’s domestic stability and new-found economic progress. While China
sees no prospect for military confrontation with the world’s major
power, stronger military forces would enable China to stand-up against
bullying, humiliation and oppression. At a minimum, military power
provides psychological support against threats to China’s security
and status. |
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26.
Desmond
Ball, “Arms and Affluence, Military Acquisition in the Asia-Pacific
Region”, International
Security, Vol. 18, No. 3 (Winter 1993/94),
p. 82.
27.
. ,
Wang Jisi, “The Role of the United States as a Global and
Pacific Power : A view from China”, The Pacific Review, Vol. 10, No. 1, 1997.
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