In regards to China's foreign policy, they have two main goals: 1). to overcome the 'century of humiliation' and 2). to regain thier 'rightful place in the world.' To anyone who will listen, China promises that they will attempt to achieve these goals in a peaceful and responsible manner. On the surface, the PRC seems to be abiding by that promise. The are responsibling engaging with the World Trade Organization and with members of ASEAN. They PRC is hosting the 2008 Summer Olympics and has promised to make it as 'green' as possible.
So, what stands in China's way of achieving the two aforementioned goals...basically, the United States! The United States is currently the lone Super Power on our planet and we are probably not quite ready to share that title just yet. The US also prevents China from fully incorporating Taiwan under the PRC. China has recently began to buddy up to members of ASEAN in hopes of regaining thier good graces. Should the tension between the US and China ever become so great that the nations of SE Asia had to pick a side, China is hoping to secure that alliance.
Should this worry the US? In short, no! After reading, Martin Stuart-Fox's article discussing the various worldviews of nations, I have come to the conclusion that their is very little, if anything, that the US could do to secure an alliance with the nations of SE Asia against China.
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As long as the US opposes the Chinese takeover of Taiwan, the US will be seen as the big bully that keeps China from overcoming her century of humiliation. China has always believed itself to be the center of the universe, and still does. Given their huge military capabilities, whether they will use peaceful means to regain their "rightful place in the world" remains to be seen.
Susan
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