Desiderata, China?

A case of speaking softly while carrying a really big stick. This is how I see China’s current efforts in allaying fears of its neighbor countries, especially those staking claims on various islands in the Spratlys and Paracels, believed to be rich in off-shore oil and gas deposits. If it is indeed true, then dependency on oil imports may be reduced, if not totally needed, should the find be substantially large! In a speech delivered at a security forum in Singapore recently, Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie who recently visited the country, assured countries of the Asia-Pacific region that it is committed to peace and stability, while at the same time, demanding respect. It is anyone’s guess what exactly did he mean by that, but it is most probably the United States’ interest in the seemingly guarded situation in the region.

 It raises an eyebrow that the Chinese Defense Minister is going around allaying fears that China remains committed to the peace and stability of the region, amidst incidences of harassment and intimidation by Chinese naval vessels on exploratory and fishing vessels of the Philippines and Vietnam. China is well aware that it is the only superpower in the region, and its military strength totally surpasses any other country laying claim to the disputed islands, perhaps with the exception of Taiwan. Incidents of harassment and intimidation, along with depositing building materials on one of the islands and laying posts and buoys have prompted other countries to accuse China of behaving like the school bully. But honestly, what can we do about it, militarily that is? And wherever there is a bully, you can expect the self-appointed police force of the world to step in. The US has already warned that a shooting war may erupt if all countries involved don’t come to an agreement regarding the disputed islands!

 The only solution to this is a diplomatic one. Even with China committing to peace and stability in the South China Sea, their actions leave a lot to speculation. China has never been known to be swayed by international reactions on whatever it does or chooses to do. So all the “comforting words” of its defense minister may very well turn out to be lip service, just to appease all. With the US raising concern over the possibility of conflict, it may have shown its interest in the region as well. I mean, is there a conflict where the US is not interested in, especially of oil is concerned?