Abstract

The political, economic and cultural rise of China has important implications for Asia. China sees the crucial need to link its internal growth and stability to the stabilization of its immediate external environment. Beijing’s progressive 'normalization' of relations with Seoul and Tokyo is bringing a certain rapprochement (through economic 'enmeshment') in North-East Asia. In South-East Asia, Beijing’s pragmatic policies and sophisticated diplomacy are stabilizing China-ASEAN relations and creating a 'benign China' image, especially with Chinese 'soft power' rising and the role of overseas Chinese strengthening. But as China practices its 'peaceful rise' (or 'peaceful development') in the region, sino-US rivalry is expected to increase, as Beijing seeks to 'balance' and even clip US presence and influence in the Asia-Pacific; whilst seeking to lead Asia and build an East Asian Community, which it would also seek to lead.

Eric Teo Chu Cheow is General Secretary of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA).