Nothing to be fretted about

By Li Hongmei People's Daily Online

Singapore's Minister Mentor Mr. Lee Kuan Yew set up an online chorus in the Chinese mainland denouncing his dubious speech, in which he "warned" the United States that it risks losing global leadership if it strays from Asia to "balance" China's rising military and economic might. The senior statesman made the remarks at the US-ASEAN Business Council's 25th anniversary gala dinner on Oct.27, stirring ire among the Chinese netizens.

It is understandable that Mr. Lee, as a Singaporean statesman, would always put his country's interests at the top of his list, but his remarks can still point to three increasingly conspicuous tendencies already unfolded in the East Asia----the reshuffling regional political chessboard appears to have make it impossible that U.S. continues to act as the monolithic power to balance the whole structure; ASEAN members still keep a wary eye on China; and the U.S. resolute to be back to Southeast Asia falls short of the ASEAN's expectations.

First, the political shift of East Asia is obviously brought on by the change of political climate in Japan and the East Asian Community initiative put forward by the newly elected Japanese PM Yukio Hatoyama. The bold idea to forge a regional membership club emulating the EU is widely applauded by Asia-Pacific nations, but frays the nerves of the U.S., as it is on the surface trying to remain independent of the U.S. clout.

The Community proposal not only challenges the well-established relations between the U.S. and its Asian allies, but in all likelihood leads to a competition for the club leadership among the Asian powers, and creates new knots on the unsmooth ties between ASEAN and its three full dialogue partners—China, Japan and South Korea.

Secondly, if viewed from a practical perspective, the GDP yielded by the ten ASEAN members put together cannot match any of the three regional powers. However, due to the vacuum of mutual trust atmospherics, China, Japan and South Korea can hardly reach consensus on East Asian affairs, and therefore it is invariably the ASEAN members who are actually cast in the leading role in the regional conformity and development.

Additionally, the recently concluded Beijing Summit involving the three Asian powers has further upset the ASEAN countries and the U.S., it being no longer the "timely rain" in a region thirsty for help. Moreover, China's emergence as a rising giant adds fuel to the flames of their anxiety and fear. The fact that much headway has been achieved in trade relations between China and ASEAN can by no means gloss over the hidden trouble long existing in the much broader diplomatic spheres, for example, sovereignty claims over the islets in South China Sea, and tussles for their respective strategic interests in the region.

Like it or not, China has to admit that its assertive rise has altered the established regional balance. Thereby, it is no surprise that the ASEAN countries so eagerly hope a major power outside of the region, such as the U.S., can be actively involve in East Asian affairs. Anyway, for flaunting or for sheltering, ASEAN needs the protective wings of Uncle Sam.

Inevitably, they could bear a grudge seeing a giant on a steady rise. But albeit so, they would not respond to Mr. Lee's shrill for being alert against China by the strategy of besieging and restricting China, as in so doing their own interests will take a heavy toll. On the other hand, China will more actively engage the ASEAN neighbors and may have a louder say with its growing strength, but it will by no means pose a menace to the regional security, as remaining in peaceful coexistence with neighbors and gaining stability for its sustainable development are both in conformity with China's core interests.

In a nutshell, neither side should worry about the regional prospect, as is defined by nothing but time and situation.