Source:
https://scmp.com/comment/letters/article/2145112/why-rising-china-good-asia-pacific-and-its-people Letters
Why a rising China is good for the Asia-Pacific and its people
A passenger looks out from a coach of a Pakistan Railways Green Line Express train, at a station in Punjab province, on February 20. Beijing is upgrading a nearly 1,900km track from Karachi to Peshawar near the Afghan border with an US$8 billion loan to Pakistan, as part of the “Belt and Road Initiative”. Photo: Bloomberg
I am writing in response to the article, “Leaders warn of Chinese hegemony” (May 4). International praise for an economically strong and increasingly prosperous China is often tempered with caution about its new assertiveness, and intentions to dominate the region. But hegemony in global geopolitics is nothing new, it is just a matter of shifting power.
The “China threat” has long been considered an international issue. Granted, the worries of other nations are understandable. China’s influence on the world is growing: it dominates many global summits and bodies, and has seen an increase in its bargaining power. However, despite its dedication to open global trade, many of its policies are seen as hegemonistic moves, such as the “Belt and Road Initiative”.
World powers such as the US are suspicious about the true intentions of China in allying with the developing countries in the Asia-Pacific, and are afraid that China will gain more support, thereby replacing their prestigious status of being the world dominator. Isn’t it an irony?
When these countries blame China for disturbing the regional balance, have they ever pondered over their own acts? The US has military bases in Japan and South Korea, is this not hegemony?
Yet, several countries do welcome the rise of China. For example, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is boosting multilateral trade in the Asia-Pacific region. China’s advanced technology and labour force are strong aids for developing countries in building fundamental infrastructure, such as a well-organised transport network. All of this benefits local citizens.
So we cannot overlook the global advantages brought by the rise of China.
Helen Woo, Yau Yat Chuen