China Shouldn't Demand 'Face' it Denies to Others
The Beijing government distinguishes itself on the international arena with its gruff manner. It has a demonstrably tough attitude. In this way, it has achieved the opposite of what it desires most: recognition.
EDITORIAL
Translated By Stephanie Martin
October 1, 2010
Germany - Frankfurter Rundschau - Original Article (German)
Chinese, it is said, must never allow themselves to lose face. But how should they handle the "face" of others? On the political front, China's government is increasingly leaving the impression that it is acting particularly un-Chinese. Beijing's diplomats are increasingly attracting attention because of their unnecessary gruffness. This was most recently seen in its attitude toward Japan; and before that, toward neighboring countries in the South China Sea; and for years in its monetary conflict against the entire world. Is this the face of the new superpower?
Beijing's politicians reiterate at every opportunity that China doesn't want to be a threat to other countries. They say they are merely pursuing a policy of "peaceful development," and point to the fact that the entire global economy and thousands of foreign companies are reaping the benefits of the economic boom in the People's Republic.
That's true! But how can the neighbors not get affright, when Beijing turns a political trifle into a confrontation with Japan? The arrest of a captain whose fishing boat rammed two Japanese coast guard vessels in disputed waters resulted in the cancelation of all high-level political meetings; has inflamed anti-Japanese sentiment; and vital raw materials shipments have been blocked. [Chiefly, rare earth minerals for electronics].
How can China's South Asian neighbors - Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines - not be concerned, when the People's Republic equips its navy for operations on the open sea and plants flags at the bottom of the South China Sea to assert claims to territories that, based on applicable United Nations conventions, belong to its South Asian neighbors? (By the way, China arrests dozens of Vietnamese fishermen every year in disputed ocean territories and often only lets them go months later in exchange for ransom). And how is it possible for other nations not to object when China uses its artificially cheap currency to devour its global competitors - a policy that above all imposes suffering on other developing and emerging nations, whose competitiveness is undermined by the People's Republic?
The question is not whether the Chinese have the right to fight for their interests on the international stage - of course they do, and neither are they required more than other nations to wear kid gloves. The question is whether China's current strategy takes the country where it wants to go: to greater prosperity, greater influence and greater international acceptance.
Why can't China adopt softer tone toward Japan, calmly seek compromise with its neighbors bordering the South China Sea and make some concessions toward the world on the currency dispute? In Beijing, there is an assumption that China must consistently demonstrate toughness, or otherwise it won't be taken seriously. At the same time, it is a growing source of national pride for Chinese to stand up to the rest of the world.
Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
China no longer wants to put up with the arrogance of the West, particularly of the U.S. - not noticing that it has long since copied it. In this way, the People's Republic loses ground on its claim to become a better world power - a credible leading nation for mankind's impoverished majority. China could also be setting in motion a dangerous self-fulfilling prophecy: the more emphatically Beijing accuses other nations of trying to contain it, the more likely that the world will be compelled to actually do so.
Tokyo, which was recently seeking greater independence from big brother Washington, is suddenly showing a renewed interest in closer ties. Vietnam as well, feels itself forced to enter into a military alliance with its former enemy. And even though America's claim to global leadership is meeting resistance in a growing number of countries, the world is nonetheless watching with suspenseful admiration to see whether the government in Washington will really dare to attempt a showdown on the yuan issue, which Congress is trying to usher in with its latest decision on retaliatory tariffs, an action that other nation is prepared to attempt.
There can no longer be any doubt that China is a strong global power. But strength isn't only about proving one's toughness. China would be well advised to allow other countries to preserve what they demand for themselves: face.
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