Patience and restraint needed to resolve South China Sea territorial disputes
Tung Chee-hwa says China rejects criticism that its activities have been aggressive, and furthermore is committed to working together with Southeast Asian countries to untangle the claims and counter-claims in the contested waters
In order to understand China’s objective with the Spratlys, I believe one must first understand China’s global strategic intent, particularly its strategic priorities today.
China’s recent history of nation building began on October 1, 1949, with the formal establishment of the People’s Republic of China. At that time, the country was bankrupt. Only very rudimentary infrastructure, housing, schools and health care facilities were available. The fact was, following years of chaos, civil war and Japanese invasion and occupation, the country suffered enormously from the destruction. But 1949 was a turning point in China’s history, for the fractious country was at last in peace and was at last united, and proper nation building could begin. Even so, it was Deng Xiaoping’s (鄧小平) decision in 1978 to launch the policy of reform and opening up that began the crucial step towards the country’s modernisation.
The result of this modernisation drive is truly astonishing. Today, in China, essential physical infrastructure is present throughout the country; education, health care and other social services have become widely available; urbanisation has progressed; and peoples’ livelihoods have improved dramatically. Furthermore, a market economy thrives.
Today China has become the second-largest economy in the world. China holds the world’s largest foreign exchange reserves, and is one of the two largest trading nations in the world. Throughout all this, 600 million people have been lifted out of poverty. Never before in the history of mankind has so much been achieved for so many people in such a short period of time.
Five trillion reasons for China to push ahead with economic reforms
China’s strategic intent is in part a result of its past destitution, and economic development and better livelihoods for its people is its greatest priority. China’s vision is that, by 2049, when the People’s Republic marks its centennial, it will have joined the ranks of the developed countries of the world. What this means internationally is that China needs to continue to pursue peace and common prosperity with its neighbours and countries around the world for years to come.
Despite enormous difficulties to solve the disputes, China is determined to continue to pursue these discussions peacefully
If history is any proof, China has no desire to colonise or conquer foreign lands. Nor does it pursue any religious or ideological motives to influence other people or to acquire foreign lands. At the height of the Ming dynasty, when China had 30 per cent of the gross domestic product of the world, China remained peaceful and did not make incursions into foreign lands. China’s behaviour is very much influenced by the teachings of Buddhism and Confucius, in which peace is precious and peace stands above all. The modernisation of its military is to act as a deterrent to foreign aggression against China.