Chinam & East Asia

TO WHAT EXTENT IS THE RISE OF CHINA A THREAT TO EAST ASIAN SECURITY

INTRODUCTION

The security situation in East Asia has changed abruptly decade by decade since the end of World War II. In the post Cold War era and in the early 21st century, the region remains as one of the most unstable areas in Asia and in the world compared with other regions. And it could become a harsh strategic confrontational area between major powers in Asia and in the world in the future, if the major powers like the United States, China, Japan, and Russia do not manage their relationships well.

      The rise of China has added new dimension in the security equation of the region, which presents both opportunities and threat. Therefore, it is essential to study- to what extent is the rise of China a threat to East Asian security. As such, the paper would first make an endeavor to discuss the rise of China from economic, military, political and cultural dimensions. Thereafter, it would make an analysis of the threat perception of Japan, two Koreas and Taiwan.

RISE OF CHINA
Economic Dimension

      China’s economic performance since the economic reforms were initiated in late 1978 has been truly impressive. Today, China has one of the highest economic growth rates in the world. China's open-door policy has attracted hundreds of billions of dollars of foreign direct investment and more than a trillion dollars of domestic nonpublic investment in the country, creating more jobs and linking the Chinese economy with international markets.[1]

      The expanding trends of China’s economic interactions signal China’s arrival as a major player in the international economy. More so, the size of China’s GDP makes it a member in the cast of industrialized economies. However, throughout the past three decades, China has rapidly emerged as a major regional power, averaging over nine percent economic growth per year. Certainly, such economic momentum has given her the ability to... [continues]

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