The Weight of the Past: East Asia's China Debate
Abstract
How might China's East Asian neighbors react to a bid by Beijing to reassert its historical dominance it in the region? Each views China through a distinctive national prism based largely on its historical experience with China. The Japanese, accustomed to viewing their country as East Asia s pacesetter and model, would probably balk at subordination to China. The Koreans (North and South), conditioned to look to China as a mentor and protector, might find Chinese dominance acceptable. The Vietnamese, predisposed to emulate China but fiercely protective of their independence, would likely resist Chinese hegemony. The Thai and Burmese, both willing in the past to accept Chinese suzerainty, might again bend with the wind blowing from a strong China. The Malaysians and Indonesians, whose posture toward China is influenced by the legacy of the Chinese diaspora, would be wary. These predispositions are not determinative; other variables also shape the interaction of East Asian countries with China. None of these variables is more important than the influence of the United States, which remains the region's dominant power.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA592227
Entities
People
- John H. Miller
Organizations
- Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies