The increasing rank of Chinese representatives being sent to the Shangri-La Dialogue indicates that China no longer harbors suspicions about the regional multilateral security conference.
Former Prime Minister of Singapore Li Guangyao accepted Japanese journalist Asahi Shimbun’s request for an interview, stating that with the strengthening of China’s national power, the annual Asian Security Summit held in Singapore should continue to provide an honest communication platform. The summit is more than symbolic; it can also facilitate mutual trust among countries in the region.
Guangyao remembers China’s skepticism upon first attending the Shangri-La Dialogue, perhaps out of concerns that other attendees might interrogate the country’s representatives. However, China has been gradually increasing the rank of its delegates participating in the conference, from a general officer in the People’s Liberation Army to the deputy chief of staff, to this month’s conference delegate, State Councilor and Defense Minister Liang Guanglie. For the first time, the Chinese are demonstrating their firm belief that the dialogue is beneficial to their country.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies headquartered in London hosts the Asia Security Summit, named the “Shangri-La Dialogue” because it is regularly held in the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore. The occasion for informal dialogue contributes to candid communication and exchange of opinion among attendees with conflicting security interests.
Li Guangyao said that Singapore provides a neutral conference site for every party. In terms of sensitive security issues, the location does not favor any participant.
The Asahi Shimbun published the comprehensive interview yesterday. Li Guangyao’s responses covered a range of issues. As a senior consultant in the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation, he replied that Singapore would meet America’s needs as much as possible when it was suggested that the U.S. would deploy warships offshore to Singapore to maintain regional security. He maintains that Singapore and the U.S. share the belief that the United States’ holding powerful influence in the region enhances regional peace and stability; therefore, the two countries will further commit to bilateral defense cooperation based on the spirit and vision of the 2005 Strategic Framework Agreement.
Guangyao also considers Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa’s suggestion to establish an international relief base in the Southwest Islands near Okinawa Island worthy of discussion in order to feel out other countries in the region’s receptiveness to the idea.
On the issue of the South China Sea, Guangyao points out that although China had hoped to solve the sovereignty dispute through bilateral negotiation, other countries who have claimed the South China Sea are much smaller than the rising power. He thinks that each party should resolve the situation according to the United Nations International Law of the Sea.
On Sino-U.S. relations, Li Guangyao states that maintaining cooperative relations is most beneficial to China, as the country still relies on America’s market, science and technology to grow. Meanwhile, Japan can continue to be America’s cooperative partner in maintaining peace and stability. Singapore’s role in American relations is much smaller; it serves as a place for the U.S. Army to store ammunition and other military equipment.
Recently, India has been very active in the Pacific region, including in joint military exercises with the U.S. Even though Li Guangyao agrees that the active involvement of India is beneficial to regional peace and stability, he has reserved his opinion on whether the Indian navy can effectively reach its “antenna” to the Pacific or not.
When it comes to the Japanese nuclear disaster caused by nuclear power safety issues, Li Guangyao points out that this is indeed a difficult issue; however, if the world cannot exploit new energy sources besides coal, natural gas and oil, the use of nuclear power may be necessary.
Japan’s “Three Disasters” have brought both good and bad.
Japan’s experience this past March with a huge earthquake, a tsunami and a nuclear radiation leak has brought mixed results.
In Li Guangyao’s opinion, the good news for Japan is that its people will be more united than before. However, the “Three Disasters” dealt a weakening blow to the economy of the advanced Asian country.
As Japan is the second largest economy in the region, Guangyao holds that any slowdown of its economy will affect its economic partners in the region.
He predicts that Japan’s economic sluggishness will last for several years. Unless the country solves the problem of its declining population through immigration policy or increasing birth rates, the weakened economy will likely continue.
Li Guangyao understands the Japanese government’s postponement of its consideration of diplomatic issues including some free trade agreements such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership; it will not be too late for Japan to catch up with the TPP negotiation in the future.
He also points out that the nuclear disaster has impacted Japan’s credibility.
While building a nuclear reactor near a coast likely to experience huge earthquakes and tsunamis, Japan took no special measures to ensure an infrastructure able to withstand natural disasters. The resulting situation damaged Japan’s reputation for careful and thorough planning.
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