China faces geopolitical challenges in 2015
US and Japanese national flags fly oustside the National Diet Building in Tokyo. (File photo/CFP)
Several global events are creating geopolitical challenges and risks for China, and the country needs to pay more attention to imminent issues involving Japan, Europe and the South China Sea, asys Gu Xuewu, a professor at the University of Bonn.
The year began with several events illustrating the shifting center of the world to the eastern hemisphere, Gu said in the Guangzhou-based South Reviews magazine. These events included President Barack Obama's trip to India, during which he voiced Washington's support for India to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council. In addition, India, under the new leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, invited Japan to join in the development of nuclear attack submarines.
Other notable activities that may impact China's interests, Gu said, were Russia's plan to develop its far eastern regions and the death of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. Gu contended, however, that since it is still too early to determine the impact of these events, China should maintain a wait-and-see position and concentrate on more imminent challenges.
One of the challenges comes from Japan, where Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's administration has been rewriting the history of his country's role in World War II, Gu said. The best way for China to counter Japan's efforts to paint itself not as an invader but as a victim of the war and build its image as a contributor to peace, telling its side of the story, Gu said.
One opportunity China should seize, Gu said, was a planned event in Beijing to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II later this year.
While President Vladimir Putin of Russia has agreed to take part in the military parade China is planning to mark the milestone, Beijing should try to invite as many heads of state as possible to strengthen international recognition of China's contribution to the Allied victory and raise awareness of Japan's efforts to rewrite history, said the report.
Another challenge involves tensions in the South China Sea, Gu argued, where the US has teamed up with the Philippines to counter Beijing's claim to a vast swath of territory. Robert Thomas, commander of the US Seventh Fleet, said in late January that Japan patrolling the South China Sea "makes sense."
In response, China should establish naval and air outposts to counter US reconnaissance activities in the disputed sea, Gu said.
The scholar also pointed to the situation in Ukraine, which has created tensions between Russia and the US and Europe. The dispute could affect China's global role given the existing economic sanctions against Moscow, Gu said.
China should also pay attention to developments in the eurozone, where austerity championed by Germany in an already sluggish economic environment has led to friction among member states.
Because the Chinese government and Chinese businesses have invested hundreds of billions of euros in southern Europe, including Greece, a breakup of the eurozone would make it difficult for China to recover its investments, said the report. challenges in 2015
US and Japanese national flags fly oustside the National Diet Building in Tokyo. (File photo/CFP)
Several global events are creating geopolitical challenges and risks for China, and the country needs to pay more attention to imminent issues involving Japan, Europe and the South China Sea, asys Gu Xuewu, a professor at the University of Bonn.
The year began with several events illustrating the shifting center of the world to the eastern hemisphere, Gu said in the Guangzhou-based South Reviews magazine. These events included President Barack Obama's trip to India, during which he voiced Washington's support for India to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council. In addition, India, under the new leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, invited Japan to join in the development of nuclear attack submarines.
Other notable activities that may impact China's interests, Gu said, were Russia's plan to develop its far eastern regions and the death of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. Gu contended, however, that since it is still too early to determine the impact of these events, China should maintain a wait-and-see position and concentrate on more imminent challenges.
One of the challenges comes from Japan, where Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's administration has been rewriting the history of his country's role in World War II, Gu said. The best way for China to counter Japan's efforts to paint itself not as an invader but as a victim of the war and build its image as a contributor to peace, telling its side of the story, Gu said.
One opportunity China should seize, Gu said, was a planned event in Beijing to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II later this year.
While President Vladimir Putin of Russia has agreed to take part in the military parade China is planning to mark the milestone, Beijing should try to invite as many heads of state as possible to strengthen international recognition of China's contribution to the Allied victory and raise awareness of Japan's efforts to rewrite history, said the report.
Another challenge involves tensions in the South China Sea, Gu argued, where the US has teamed up with the Philippines to counter Beijing's claim to a vast swath of territory. Robert Thomas, commander of the US Seventh Fleet, said in late January that Japan patrolling the South China Sea "makes sense."
In response, China should establish naval and air outposts to counter US reconnaissance activities in the disputed sea, Gu said.
The scholar also pointed to the situation in Ukraine, which has created tensions between Russia and the US and Europe. The dispute could affect China's global role given the existing economic sanctions against Moscow, Gu said.
China should also pay attention to developments in the eurozone, where austerity championed by Germany in an already sluggish economic environment has led to friction among member states.
Because the Chinese government and Chinese businesses have invested hundreds of billions of euros in southern Europe, including Greece, a breakup of the eurozone would make it difficult for China to recover its investments, said the report.
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