FNF-IFES International Conference “China and its Strategic Neighbors”

On June 3rd, 2011 the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, together with the Institute for Far Eastern Studies (IFES) of Kyungnam University, held an international conference on “China and its Strategic Neighbors” in Seoul. More than 100 guests followed the invitation and participated in the timely event, which - for the first time in Korea – not only focused on China’s rise as a superpower and its bilateral relations with the DPRK, but widened the angle of reflections on China by also including the country’s political and economic relations and ambitions towards Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia.

Since the late 1970s, China has been undergoing a great transformation as it has sought to modernize the country and meet the challenges of globalization. Its integration into the mainstream capitalist system has led to its rise as a trading power, which has remarkably altered its position in the global economy and its influence in world politics. Likewise, China has increasingly taken a more active role in regional and global politic affairs in order to expand its national interest and global influence. Its overall rapid rise has spawned concerns over the motivations and ambitions of its government, as many are convinced that the country’s rise as a world “superpower” is only a matter of time.

Nevertheless, Dr Yu Yingli of the Shanghai Institute for International Studies (SIIS) put China’s ambitions into perspective by stating that China was “unwilling to assume responsibilities beyond its capability” and therefore – at least for now – would focus on domestic problems. While keeping an eye on maintaining stability in the region, China nowadays prefers to “attract followers” rather than perusing hegemonic policies she said within the first session of the event “China as a Superpower – Global and Regional Perspectives”.

The nations most sensitive to China’s rise are those that can be considered its “strategic neighbors”. The conference, within a session on “Case Studies on China’s Bilateral Relations”, examined China’s policies towards Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar (Burma) and North Korea in detail. Four distinguished experts presented their views on China’s relations with their respective country. It became quite evident that China is following consistent patterns within its foreign policies towards its neighbors. In pursuit of its own economic and political interests China is anxious to ensure stability in the region. Furthermore it strives for a regeneration of technology and productivity gains in traditional economic sectors, is eager to boost trade and expand as well as secure its access to the sea, raw materials and other resources.