This is the second article in a series written Hoang Huong during
her trip to Hawaii (USA), Beijing and Hainan (China), Masinloc and Manila (the
Philippines) and Singapore with journalists from 14 countries in the Asia-Pacific
region to discuss the East Sea (South China Sea) conflict, held by the
Jefferson Fellowships program of the East-West Center (USA).
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| The reef of Mischeft where China is conducting land reclaimation |
The three scholars mentioned in the article are Dr. Mr. Denny Roy,
a senior expert on governance and security from the East-West Center (USA),
Prof. Sherry P. Broder, a lecturer at the William S. Richardson Law School,
University of Hawaii (USA) and Dr. Li Guoqiang, a researcher in the field of
philosophy and social sciences from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
Sharing the same view that China has been developing very strongly
and this country now has great influence on global trade, the Chinese and
American scholars’ perspective is different on the orientation and the way of
development, as well as the attitude of China to the world in the process of
economic development.
Referring to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the
South China Sea (DOC), which was signed by China and ASEAN countries in 2002,
Mr. Li Guoqiang said that during the process of discussion and implementation,
the concerned parties should try to reach common awareness and should not
impose their will on others. However, two American scholars pointed out the
actions that go against the good words of China.
Prof. Sherry P. Broder said that in the past few years, China has
been involved in serious standoffs with its neighbors. She listed various
events such as China’s dispute with the Philippine Coast Guard at the
Scarborough Shoal began in 2012. In November 2013, China unexpectedly declared
an air defense identification zone (ADIZ) over a large portion of the East
China Sea that overlaps portions of the South Korean and Japanese ADIZs. In
2014, China sent the HD-981 oil rig in waters disputed with Vietnam near the
Paracel Islands.
“China has also used its economic power to influence developments
and to punish its opponents in the East Sea and West Sea disputes. For
instance, in 2012, China restricted Philippine fruit imports. In 2010, China
restricted exports of rare earth minerals to Japan. China claimed that the
action was for environmental protection purposes, but in 2014 the World Trade
Organization concluded that China’s restrictions were discriminatory and
violated its rules,” said Prof. Broder.
Dr. Denny Roy frankly pointed out: “China sends dual, perhaps
contradictory, messages. The first is ‘Don’t worry, we want peace and
stability and trade that will be good for you.’ The second message is ‘We
are increasingly powerful, so if you are wise you will treat China with
deference and respect or you will suffer’.”
A reporter from New Zealand questioned why did China repeatedly
state it observed the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) but refused
the arbitration case of the Philippines? Mr. Li Guoqiang explained quite
confusingly: "The UNCLOS does not solve the territorial, dispute and
military issues, just deal with the basic problems of the sea…"
Citing China’s respect of diplomatic measures among the three ways
of settlement - military struggle, judicial arbitration and diplomacy – Mr. Li
Guoqiang justified China’s attitude in the Philippines’ lawsuit as
"justifiable and appropriate."
Prof. Broder said: “If the arbitration panel rules in favor of the
Philippines, it will strengthen the position of the Philippines and probably
encourage other countries in the region to bring claims to push back China’s
claims. If China refuses to abide by the decision, it will erode China’s
international standing and position as a global leader.”
"China is a threat"
Referring to the role of the US in the East Sea, particularly when
the US recently sent the warship USS Fort Worth to patrol the East Sea, which
was protested fiercely by China, Mr. Li Guoqiang said the US’s statement on the
policy on the South China Sea was "unconstructive".
"The US is not the country concerned, but it has made a lot
of actions to intervene in the South China Sea issue," he said.
From American view, Prof. Broder clearlysaid: “China has
repeatedly promised that it means only peace. The Charter of the United Nations
prohibits using force to settle territorial disputes. The escalating conflicts
in the region could trigger a severe crisis, which would ultimately affect the
entire world.”
“The US has continued to urge all claimants to follow the
provisions of the 2002 DOC, in which the parties committed to exercise
self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate
disputes and affect peace and stability. It is fair for other nations to
evaluate the validity of what China says against its actions,” she said.
Dr. Denny Roy stressed that the rise of China is a threat. “A
stronger China will more strongly demand Chinese security and prosperity.
Inevitably, this will reduce the freedom of action and in some cases the
security of China’s neighbors. In that sense the rise of China is a
threat,” he said.
* Dr. Denny Roy taught Chinese studies, the history of
Asia, and Southeast Asian politics at the Navy School of Monterey,
California, in 1998 - 2000; researched on security - defense at the
University of Canberra, Australia; taught political science at schools in
Singapore and England before becoming a senior researcher of the East - West
Research Centre in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. He is the author of many
research works such as The Pacific War and Its Political Legacies; Taiwan: A
Political Policy and China's Foreign Relations, and many articles in
scientific - politics journals.
* Prof. Sherry P. Broder is a lecturer at the William S.
Richardson Law School, University of Hawaiil, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. Her
major teaching and research fields are is international law, ocean law,
environmental law and human rights. Also, she is a media advisor and
arbitrator for Hawaii’s government. She is the founder and executive director
of the Jon Van Dyke Institute for International Law and Justice, which regularly
organizes seminars and events related to the UNCLOS, the International
Environmental Law and the International law on human rights.
* Dr. Li Guoqiang is a researcher in the field of
philosophy and social sciences. He is working at the border research center
of the CASS, China.
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Source: Vietnamnet
