VietNamNet Bridge – After implementing the closed-door policy
for a long period of time, China has begun to compete with other countries and
raise big claims in the East Sea.
In his recently-published book
“Vietnam’s hallmarks in the East Sea,” Dr. Tran Cong Truc, former chief of the
Border Committee, analyzed China’s marine policy. Below is an extract from the
book.
China’s goal is to become a
superpower of the same rank with the US by 2050, based on reform, open-door
policy and peaceful rise. China believes that from now to 2020 is the best time
for development. Therefore, China’s foreign policy in the coming years is
trying to solve inside and outside conflicts, avoid the use of extreme measures
and confrontation with the US, develop friendly and cooperative relations with
neighbors and maintain peaceful environment.
On the other hand, after a long
period of time leading the world for economic growth rate, China has become a
big country in the world.
In 2005, its gross domestic
product (GDP) exceeded US$2.2 trillion to become the fourth largest economy in
the world.
Because of robust economic
development, China has become a hungry dragon for fuel and materials.
From 2003, China has become the
second largest importer of oil in the world, after the US. China has been
spreading to the world to seek and exploit natural resources and energy to
satisfy its demand of development and ensure its energy security. The ocean is
considered an important source.
To facilitate transportation of
fuel and goods, China now attaches importance to the freedom of navigation and
maritime commercial safety. With around 70 percent of its imported oil
transported via the East Sea, China sees the East Sea as its life-line.
China has raised the biggest
claims in the East Sea. After implementing the closed door policy for a long
time, this country began eyeing and encroaching into the East Sea. The process
has happened as below:
In 1909 it began to occupy Hoang
Sa (Paracel) Archipelago.
In 1946 it drew the U-shaped
line, which covers around 80 percent of the East Sea. However until May 2009 it
made the line public. At the same time it occupied eastern islands in Hoang Sa
Archipelago and Ba Binh Island in Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago.
In 1956, the People’s Republic of
China occupied the eastern part of Hoang Sa while Taiwan held Ba Binh Island in
Truong Sa.
In 1958, the People’s Republic of
China officially raised its sovereignty claims over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa.
In 1974, this country occupied
the western part of Hoang Sa. It continued to occupy some islands in Truong Sa
in 1988 and Vanh Khan Island of Truong Sa in 1995.
China claims sovereignty over the
whole Hoang Sa Archipelago. It considers Hoang Sa and the adjacent waters as its
natural territory. It also claims sovereignty over the entire Truong Sa
Archipelago and its adjacent waters, but admits to have disputes.
From the 90s, along with China’s
fast economic development and the improvement of China’s position in the
international arena, China began building and implementing a new marine policy.
Under this policy, China has strengthened its control and exploitation of the
sea to serve its goal of becoming a maritime superpower. China believes that it
cannot become a real superpower if it is not a maritime superpower.
China’s policy is exploring the
far waters firstly and then to the near waters, the disputed waters firstly and
then its waters; diplomatic methods go firstly, followed by naval force; sowing
division among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN);
taking advantage of and restricting the US and Japan.
In terms of cooperation mode,
China focuses on bilateral cooperation and multilateral cooperation when China
holds the key role. Its main direction in the sea is the East Sea, where
natural resources are abundant, big countries do not have military bases and
related small countries are weak at military ability.
Tran Cong Truc
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