Edmond Cheuk is a Senior Editor of Web Perspectives.
Stand Up, China
To many Chinese people, the Chinese government is doing a good job. China’s economic development has brought a higher living standard, better job opportunities, and an increased sense of pride. Having spent 2 months in Beijing and a week in Inner Mongolia, I can say without hesitation that many share a grateful and satisfied attitude to the People’s Communist Party and their actions. From an Inner Mongolian shepherd to a Beijing University student to the everyday cab driver, the Party’s performance passes with flying colors.
Yet, the Chinese government’s stellar performance in the aforementioned areas does not reflect in its diplomatic interactions with other countries. It has appeared weak, soft-spoken, and even deferential when faced with difficult situations. At times, it has even suppressed patriotic — and justifiable — sentiments. Last year, it succumbed to US pressure and revalued the Renminbi (RMB). Recently, it prevented self-funded patriotic organizations from setting out towards Diaoyutai, a group of islands that Japan claims to have sovereignty over, to show their support for China’s legitimate sovereignty. Yesterday, they responded to the anti-Japanese protest warnings issued by Guangdong’s Japanese Embassy by filtering media channels and more than doubling the police force in Shenzhen. Chinese nationalism has not become a tool of the Chinese government. What government would actively foil anti-Japanese demonstrations if it were intending to use it as political capital? Though Chinese leaders don’t take such actions without thoughtful consideration, they reflect China’s unwillingness to take a firmer stance on issues that concern its interests and its dignity.
While the US takes strong action against those who harm its interests or threaten its security, China merely employs words, always reverting to its heshi (to settle matters without dispute) philosophy. As Kennedy Wong, a Hong Kong Delegate to the PRC’s Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), says, “Confucianism and Taoism have been China’s mainstream culture in the Tang, Sung and Ming Dynasties, advocating renyi (benevolence and a sense of justice), daode (ethics), zhongxiao (loyalty and filial piety), liyi (rites), and lianchi (sense of shame). ” While China possesses neither the aggression nor the military power to expand its territories by invasion, it does not mean China cannot stand firm in the international arena. It must learn to say “No” to certain demands made by other countries. It must also adopt a tougher stand in dealing with Japan. It must learn to be unafraid of confrontation, and remain resolute should situations similar to the NATO bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade and the US spy-plane incident arise.
Having endured over a century of humiliation and servitude, China needs to stand up now. Its economic growth has elevated its status in the international community. As a considerable power, China should now instill an element of determination and steadfastness into its traditional demurring foreign policy. This does not mean that China will become a threat to regional and international stability. It simply means that China will no longer defer to other countries’ wishes if its political, economic, and social interests are compromised. If Japan Prime Minister shows no interest in mending strained Sino-Japanese ties, as he has aptly demonstrated by his August 15 visit to the Yasukuni Shrine, then China has no obligation to tolerate such a blatant act of disrespect towards its people and those of neighboring countries. If Taiwan’s scandal-laden leader continues his thoughtless push towards an improbable independence, then China should not deviate from its stance on the matter. Hopefully, these will forever remain scenarios. Nonetheless, China must learn stay firm and fight for its interests. Acquiescing to every request is not flexibility and civility. Rather, it’s time for China to stop saying “Yes” to everything.