Order and Chaos in Northeast Asia

Looking back on 2010, after the tension on the Korean Peninsula heightened, the alliance between America, Japan and the Republic of Korea became stronger and, because of the numerous joint military exercises carried out by the three countries within the region, the situation in the Northeast Asia has been in complete chaos.

Things Have Become More Complicated Since America Re-Entered the Region

A bigger concern is that, this time around, America is coming for China from three different directions: South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia. At sea, America is forming a barrier along the South China Sea, East China Sea and Yellow Sea. On top of China and Japan’s dispute over the Diaoyu Islands, the adjustment of U.S.-Japan-ROK’s strategy toward China has transformed. On the other hand, although the joint military exercises carried out by the three countries seemed to be aimed at North Korea, they in fact put a lot of pressure on China. Meanwhile, America, Japan and the ROK publicly criticized China for not being responsible in the situation on the Korean Peninsula, and denounced China by tying it together with North Korea.

However, the fact is that America has strengthened its marine force in the West Pacific Ocean by taking advantage of the conflict on the Korean Peninsula. Currently, America has already stationed two Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, the George Washington and the Carl Vinson, in the region; the third aircraft carrier, the Reagan, will also be deployed in the near future. With America standing by with three aircraft carriers in the Western Pacific, the situation in the region has been more chaotic. Japan, being a cat’s paw, decided to include the Diaoyu Islands in its bilateral security treaty.

Meanwhile, the conflict on the Korean Peninsula had reached its peak. On December 29, the president of the Republic of Korea, Lee Myung-Bak, announced, “Looking at the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island and the sinking of the Cheonan, I think a reunification is near.” On December 30, the front page of the Chosun Ilbo reported that South Korea’s direction toward North Korea had been changed from interaction to reunification. The “reunification” mentioned would probably not be peaceful, but rather provocative. The Republic of Korea declared a holy war on nuclear terrorism.

As countries in the Northeast Asia were in the middle of debates and military exercises, Russia also chipped in. First, Russia sided with America and the ROK and scolded North Korea for its attack on the Yeonpyeong Island; then, they got the United Nations involved and protested against the ROK for launching live-fire military exercises. This indicates the conflict within Northeast Asia has already affected Russia’s interests.

Unfortunately, the mess was not cleaned up before the new year. The increase of the American forces in the West Pacific area is heating up the conflict on the Korean Peninsula; it is also heating up the conflict between China and Japan on the disputes over the Diaoyu Islands. It is certain that the situation in Northeast Asia will remain unpredictable.

China Is the Cornerstone of the Stability in the Area

It is worth mentioning that even in this wild situation, China manages to maintain its self-control and remains rational, calm, and responsible. From the sinking of the Cheonan, the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island and the deployment of the George Washington to the Yellow Sea to the entry of the Reagan to the West Pacific, China has remained calm and acted as a cornerstone of stability in the area.

First, the ROK demanded that China comment on Cheonan and Yeonpyeong, and China expressed that it was neutral on the issue. When the ROK accused China of siding with North Korea, China responded in a rational and controlled manner. As the conflict was heating up on the Korean Peninsula, China sent out diplomat Dai Bingguo to mediate the conflict, and to prioritize peace in the region first.

Also, China emphasized the importance of the six-party talks in solving the crisis in Northeast Asia. China has showed extreme benevolence by not giving up when America, Japan and the ROK rejected its proposal.

Moreover, when the ROK produced new trouble by resuming its live-fire military exercise in Yeonpyeong, North Korea only replied, “It is not worth commenting on.” America suggested that it was China’s influence.

The U.S. Needs to Give Up on Stopping China’s Rise

Last but not least, when the U.S. sent her third aircraft carrier and worsened the situation in the West Pacific region, China calmly responded, “(We need to) stay calm and not get nervous, talk and not fight, have peace and not war.” Between all the do’s and don’ts, China has given America a simple question: Are you here to bring peace or chaos to the region?

The leaders of China and the U.S. will soon meet officially. America’s act of stationing three aircraft carriers in the West Pacific region indicates to the world that it is actually a sheep in wolf’s clothing.

If Northeast Asia remains in “order,” everyone gets their share of profit peacefully; if it is in “chaos,” it damages the interests of everyone involved. The conflicts between these international powerhouses affect North and South Korea more than anyone else. However, in order to regulate the “order” and “chaos” in Northeast Asia, the relationship between China and the U.S. needs to be maintained in a rational, business-like way. It is especially important for America to abandon its anxiety, to give up its plan on stopping China by joining forces with its allies in Northeast Asia, and to accept the fact that China is rising peacefully.