Obama Urges Support of China

On Nov. 11 President Obama, at a meeting attended by the Leader of the Peoples Republic of China Hu Jin Tao, addressed China as a core superpower, seeming to urge China to fulfill its obligation to give security assurances to the international community. Both countries seemed to be trying hard to present a relationship of mutual, constructive cooperation.

U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, touring in advance of the conference, made provocative statements regarding the territorial dispute in the East China Sea. Making vehement remarks concerning the intrusive export restrictions on rare earth elements implemented by the Chinese, it seems that Clinton and Obama have divided their roles and are using them to achieve different aims.

President Obama’s consideration for China may be because China is the biggest holder of American public debt and that is why he is strengthening the economic interdependence of their countries. The support of China is also essential for sanctions against North Korea and Iran’s nuclear development. There is also the pretext of President Hu Jin Tao’s state visit next January.

The main focal point is how to check the provocative actions of China at this meeting while showing an attitude of cooperation, the seventh meeting so far attended by both heads of state.

According to the Chief of the Japanese National Security Council, the purpose of Obama's Asian tour is to "strengthen relationships with allies and create an environment ready for the emergence of China.” President Obama himself said that the U.S. and China are seeing significant progress on a range of issues and have a special obligation to ensure strong, balanced and sustained growth. By putting China in with the U.S. and addressing China as a core superpower, President Obama seems to be strongly urging China to fulfill its obligation to the international community.

Against this background, China makes provocative actions directed at the area of the South China Sea and ocean and seems unable to recognize things that are generally international common sense, acting in an entirely selfish manner.

This “incongruous debate” regarding China is something that is growing within America and with its allies. It is necessary to make China aware of this by raising them up within the international community and encouraging them to take responsibility of international security that comes with being a “superpower.”

Already, while Obama is throwing a net over China’s influence in Asia by promoting democracy in India, it seems as if further pressing China and trying to herd them even more before the Chinese leader’s upcoming visit may not be a good plan of action.

Conversely, the actions of China regarding the Senkaku Islands, Okinawa and the recent boat collision may be an opportunity for further strong measures by Clinton regarding policy toward China.

At a conference for the Association for South East Asian Countries on Oct. 30, when demanded to recognize the Senkaku Islands as falling under Chinese sovereignty by the Chinese Foreign Minister Yan Jiechi, Secretary of State Hilary Clinton gave the vicious rebuttal that the Senkaku Islands fall under the application of the Japan-U.S. Treaty of Mutual Security.

The Chinese government’s implementation of export restrictions of rare earth elements with regards to America has been, according to Hillary Clinton, a “wake-up call” to the Obama administration. Regarding the Chinese export restrictions, an American official said he is unable to know if it is a military decision or an economic one. It seems as if Chinese actions are irritating the Americans now, too.