US, China and Russia Are Rallying Allies in the Rivalry for Hegemony in Asia

Influenced by the topic of “Asian Hegemony,” the international community has experienced some changes recently. The U.S., China, Russia and other key actors are sculpting Asian alliances to improve international relationships and gather influence; on the other hand, because of the power struggle between nations, a fierce rivalry is underway. This is due to the recognition that if a country is eliminated from the competition in Asia, a region containing 60 percent of the world’s population and over 50 percent of the world’s GDP, it will be eliminated from the rounds of competition to come.

U.S. Departure from Afghanistan and Subsequent Chinese Involvement

According to reports, this week China and Afghanistan are signing a broad agreement regarding the diplomatic ties between the two nations. Chairman Hu Jintao and Afghan President Hamid Karzai are going to hold a meeting in Beijing to discuss it. According to analyses, this meeting is in response to the projected complete withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan in 2014, with China aiming to take the opportunity to “fill in” the power vacuum and secure its own position as the regional chief.

During the 10 years of the Western world’s War on Terror in Afghanistan, led by the U.S., China actually showed no interest in participating in the region’s political and security issues. China is only keen on strengthening economic ties with Afghanistan, such as gaining mining rights to the copper mine at Ayak Mountain and the like.

However, China’s response to the security of the Taliban-threatened Afghanistan after the withdrawal of U.S. troops is different from those before, for China is planning to gain an economic advantage through active intervention and political influence in Central Asia. China is reportedly considering sending military personnel to Afghanistan to aid in army training.

U.S. Rallying Allies to Target China

With the U.S.’s departure from Afghanistan, the security strategy’s focus has pivoted to East Asia to accelerate the “battle for hegemony in the Pacific.” America’s currently implemented plan is to recruit South Korea, Japan, Australia, the Philippines, Thailand and other “core allies,” as well as India, Singapore, Indonesia and other “core partners” to target the dominant competitor, China.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, who was visiting Vietnam, issued a speech on a U.S. warship in Cam Ranh Bay with the South China Sea as the backdrop on June 3 local time. The scene is symbolic of the American strategy, for the South China Sea is a seriously disputed region of sovereignty between Vietnam and China. Panetta said, “Access for United States naval ships into this facility is a key component of this relationship (with Vietnam) and we see a tremendous potential here for the future.” The AP said, “While Panetta did not mention ‘China,’ we know he is sending a message to China.” Panetta is going to visit India after Vietnam and plans to further discuss programs to strengthen the two nations’ security programs.

Russia and China Join Forces to Contend with the U.S. and NATO

Russian President Vladimir Putin is going to China for a three-day state visit from June 5th to the 7th. Despite strong protests in the U.S. this past month, Putin has refused to attend the G-8 Summit in Chicago, thereby making China his first international stop after winning the election.

Analysis suggests that Putin’s move is targeted, for Russia means to unite with China in implementing the diplomatic strategy of luring other Asian countries to their cause — to counterbalance the U.S.-led and Western-centric NATO. From the 6th to the 7th, Putin will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit held in Beijing. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization includes China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and four Central Asian countries involved in regional security cooperation agencies. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Afghan President Hamid Karzai will also attend the summit as observers.

Putin will hold a head of state meeting with Hu Jintao to actively devise a program to strengthen bilateral relations. The two nations began to jointly deal with Syria and the Iranian nuclear crisis last year; therefore, it is expected that a head of state meeting discussing cooperation programs should continue with Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at the summit.