IT is one thing for Beijing to reject United States criticism of the latest missile tests off Taiwan. Given the mainland leadership's deep distrust of Washington's intentions, it is scarcely surprising they should maintain Washington has no right to comment on what is seen as purely China's internal affair. But China cannot so easily brush aside the concern of its normally sympathetic Asian neighbours.
Their legitimate concern in what is fast becoming the region's greatest source of instability cannot be denied. Already airline flights have been re-routed and merchant shipping warned to avoid the test zone. Nervousness over the People's Liberation Army exercises has also seen stock market falls as far away as Singapore.
Such concern is understandable. If cross-strait tension deteriorates into overt hostility, the possible consequences are immense. Not only would economic growth in Hong Kong and the entire greater China region be devastated, the knock-on effect throughout Asia could be severe. At the very least, international shipping routes would be paralysed and insurance premiums sent sky-rocketing. In a worst-case scenario, the entire East Asian economic miracle could be temporarily thrown into reverse. That explains why Japan, which is normally scrupulous to avoid criticising China, has described the latest tests as 'unfortunate' and dispatched a patrol boat to monitor them. Even Singapore senior minister Lee Kuan Yew, usually more noted for his defence of Beijing against foreign criticism, has now acknowledged Asian states are concerned about the mainland's future path. He stressed the importance of the US military presence in the region, as a vital counterweight.
Nations such as Vietnam and the Philippines, which have outstanding territorial disputes with China, have good reason to feel especially nervous. Such public expressions of concern over this latest test are in sharp contrast to the lack of reaction to the two earlier missile tests last year. That should set alarm bells ringing in Beijing.
If China wants to preserve the extraordinary progress it has made in building diplomatic ties in the region during the last decade, then it must recognise its neighbours have every right to be concerned at the effects of its actions in the Taiwan Strait. Firing missiles can only jeopardise Asia's progress along the path towards greater prosperity.
