Some Ideas on Northeast Asian Security Situation

Remarks at the China-U.S.Young Scholars Dialogue Tao Tao,CPAPD Deputy Secretary General

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Morning!

I would like to begin by thanking the organizer of China-U.S.Young Scholars Dialogue for inviting me,and I feel honored to have the chances haring my ideas on Northeast Asian security issues.

Northeast Asia is a region with unique geopolitical structure and complicated relations.There are still lingering uncertainties and destabilizing factors coming from strategic games among major countries,disputes over territorial land and waters, hotspot issues, historical recognition,etc.,which have aroused worldwide attention,for instance the eye-catching U.S.-DPRK summit on Jun.12.Nowadays,Northeast Asia is still in the period of restructuring regional order,with conspicuous security issues and challenges.Some people hold that Northeast Asia is a region of security dilemma.Many scholars have been exploring reasons for the problems from different perspectives,such as the evil human nature,growth and decline of power,conflicts of interests,the anarchy,imbalanced policies,powerless diplomacy,inefficient mechanisms, strategic distrust,confrontational stances,etc.Famous Germany thinker Johann Goethe wrote:“All theory is gray.But forever green is the tree of life.”Likewise,theoretical analysis must keep up with the changing situation.With recent relaxation momentum of Korean Peninsula,there are both opportunities and challenges concerning Northeast Asian security situation,which needs reconsidering and rethinking.I would like to share with you the following ideas:

Firstly,there is still strong remnants of the Cold War.After collapse of the Cold War pattern,the strong confrontation still lingers in Northeast Asia,and the Korean Peninsula still in armistice.There are differences in terms of ideology,political system and development mode among regional states.Indeed,the solid ice is melting.Even the U.S.and the DPRK,who had once seen each other as sworn enemies,have held presidential summit and signed a Joint Statement.Also,regional countries have been deepening mutual understanding by promoting mutual learning among civilizations and people-to-people exchanges.

Secondly,there is an obvious game among major powers.Major powers play a crucial and leading role in safeguarding peace and security in this region.However,major powers like China,America,Russia and Japan hold different strategic considerations toward this region.The related sides compete in attempt to grasp strategic leadership in regional affairs.At the same time,communication and dialogue are continuing.With regard to Korean Peninsula nuclear issue,there have been four-party and then six-party talk.Besides,there are bilateral and multilateral dialogue mechanisms among major powers such as China,the United States,Japan and Russia.Promoting dialogue among major powers is conducive to controlling conflicts or differences,and reducing the possibility of strategic miscalculation or any rash military action.

Thirdly,there are prominent hotspot issues.On the one hand,tension still exists.Korean Peninsular nuclear issue and disputes over territorial waters happen occasionally.There are territorial disputes between China and Japan,and island conflicts between South Korea and Japan.Japan often has some frictions with China and South Korea on the historical issues.On the other hand,tension is easing.The de-escalation of regional hotspot issue is becoming manageable,since the Korean Peninsula tension has been alleviated and relations between China and neighboring states have been greatly improved.

Fourthly,security cooperation mechanisms are lagging behind.Compared with Europe,North America and Southeast Asia,Northeast Asia lags behind in economic integration.Its economic and trade cooperation are constrained by political factors and multilateral cooperation modes are faced with obstacles.The security cooperation is therefore confronted with even more difficulties.Nevertheless,various countries are making plans for cooperation.China adopts the neighborly relationship principles of amity,sincerity,benefit and inclusiveness,and also puts forward building a community of a shared future with neighboring countries.Besides,the ROK proposes Northeast Asia Peace&Cooperation Initiative,and the vision of Northeast Asia Plus Community of Responsibility while Japan also puts forward the idea of Northeast Asian Community.

Fifthly,security challenges could not be underestimated.Compared with the global overall relaxed security situation since the end of the Cold War,Northeast Asian security situation is still severe and the outlook remains uncertain,with intertwined traditional and non-traditional security issues.There is a long way to go before reaching the fundamental solution of Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.Traditional security problems such as disputes over territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests have not been solved so far,while non-traditional security issues, notably cross-border terrorism,energy security and cyber security issues,are on the rise.It is noticeable that relative sides are increasing dialogue on soft security topics such as environmental protection;and holding discussions on security issues against a wider background including economics,politics,culture and society;also promoting security cooperation in areas with low sensitivity.

The Northeast Asian security concerns China’s major security interests,and to secure lasting peace in Northeast Asia is related to the common interests of regional states.With regard to searching for a way out for or easing the Northeast Asian security situation,I would like to share my following ideas:

Firstly,settingagoal.The first and foremost thing is to determine the direction and a basic goal for Northeast Asian development,and all sides should take building a Northeast Asia with lasting peace and prosperity as the overall goal.For countries in this region,they have become more and more inter-connected and inter-dependent,and have become a community with common stakes and shared future.Therefore,various states shall base their development direction on principles of upholding peace and security, promoting development and prosperity and achieving win-win cooperation.China has proposed to build a community with a shared future for mankind,to build an open,inclusive,clean and beautiful world with lasting peace,universal security,and common prosperity,which cannot be separated from a Northeast Asia with lasting peace and prosperity.

Secondly,fosteringaconcept.The concept of common security is the foundation for the lasting peace.Various states shall take the concept of common,comprehensive,cooperative and sustainable security as the foundation for security dialogue,security cooperation and security mechanism-building.China opposes the outdated thinking of military alliance,threat of force,military deterrence and power politics.Instead,China proposes and puts into practice the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, which is an important contribution to Northeast Asian security cooperation.

Thirdly,searchingforaroute.The Northeast Asian security issues and challenges can only be solved through proper approaches.Various states shall seek to solve differences and disputes through political dialogue and peaceful negotiation.China calls for approaching global governance with extensive consultation,joint contribution and shared benefits.China sticks to solving disputes through communication and negotiation,and has actively promoted peace talk on hotspot issues.China’s“dual-track approach” and “suspension for suspension”proposal have played a constructive role in easing Northeast Asian tension and upholding regional peace and stability.

Fourthly,Grasping the key-link.I believe that the key to Northeast Asian security is mutual trust.Various states shall take building and deepening mutual trust as the precondition for strengthening security cooperation.All nations,big or small,shall have their own legitimate security concerns.Thus,mutual respect for each other’s security concern will serve as the foundation for building mutual trust among the relevant sides.China is opposed to the pursuit of exclusive and absolute security for one’s own interests,opposed to achieving one’s security at the expense of others’security.China appeals for deepening mutual trust,seeking common ground,and moving ahead together based on mutual confidence.All regional states should participate in the building of regional security mechanism and do their part to establish a shared regional framework for lasting peace and universal security.

Fifthly,strengthening cooperation.Facing cross-border challenges,various countries shall deepen coordination and break up the dilemma with joint efforts.Multilateral cooperation is of great importance for peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia. Nations shall strengthen comprehensive cooperation and continue to build security mechanism focusing on security cooperation.Cold War and zero-sum game mentality or exclusive arrangement can in no way contribute to regional peace.China proposes the Belt and Road Initiative to work for win-win cooperation with Northeast Asian countries and the rest of the world.

Sixthly,consolidatingfoundation.Development is material foundation for security,while people is social foundation for security.Various nations should pursue common development and enhance cultural exchanges,since promoting sustainable development and common prosperity in Northeast Asia is conducive to laying a solid foundation for regional security.Boosting people-to-people exchanges,cultivating friendship and regional identity are beneficial to creating popular foundation for regional security.China pursues innovative,coordinated,green,open and shared development,and is ready to integrate Belt and Road Initiative with the development strategies of other countries and achieve people-to-people interconnection in the region,thus building a strong foundation for lasting peace in the region.

Korean Peninsula nuclear issue is the most complicated aspect,the most influential factor and the source of uncertainties in Northeast Asian security.China firmly upholds Korean Peninsula denuclearization and international nuclear non-proliferation regime and stays committed to peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula.China has put forward the suspension of the DPRK nuclear activities and the suspension of the U.S.-ROK joint military exercise to help Korean Peninsula get rid of security dilemma,and then a dual-track approach of combining the denuclearization process with peace mechanism building to realize peace in the long run.With joint efforts, the head of states of the U.S.A.and the DPRK have held the summit in Singapore,which casts a light of hope onto Northeast Asian difficulties.I think that the most important national interests of China in Korean Peninsula issue is to ensure denuclearization and avoid any turmoil or war.The major role of China is to create a peaceful and secure regional environment in joint efforts with related nations.Now,with efforts of China and other countries concerned,especially that of the U.S.A and the DPRK,it is becoming more likely for Northeast Asia to walk out of the dilemma.Indeed,it requires patience and wisdom for the complete solution of this issue.

The exchange of views between China and the U.S.young scholars is meaningful.Francis Bacon, the British philosopher once said,knowledge is power.Wang Yangming,Chinese renowned philosopher in the Ming Dynasty,emphasized the unity of knowledge and action.Young scholars are vibrant in thinking and innovating.I believe that it is of important meaning for governments to pay attention to young scholars’wisdom and integrate them into practical policies.We shall together work for that.Moreover,it occurs to me several sentences from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens:it was the best of times,it was the worst of times,it was the age of wisdom,it was the age of foolishness. Passing the times and generations,but we will never stop unremitting pursuit for lasting peace and universal security.There is an old Chinese saying turning hostility into friendship.Chinese traditional culture cherishes peace as priority.stories of turning spears into pitchforks and sword into ploughshares are plenty in the world history as well.Therefore,looking at Korean Peninsula relaxation as the starting point,we wish to see Northeast Asia move on the right track to peace and development.

Once again,I would like to extend gratitude to organizers for inviting me.It is my first time to have attended the Dialogue.On behalf of Chinese People’s Association for Peace and Disarmament,we are willing and ready to contribute wisdom to China-U.S.Young Scholars Dialogue.I hope to have more discussions with you.

Thank you very much for listening!