POREG VIEW:China’s disputes with its neighbours notably Japan and Asean member nations have one unintended affect. It is that the US, which appeared to recognise China as a regional power in SEA theatre and offer SA on a platter to Beijing as its fiefdom for hegemony, is forced to sit up. Washington is compelled to take cognizance of what Prof Carlyle Thayer of Australian Defence Forces Academy terms as the revived Chinese threat as an idea.

One obvious reason for China’s tense stand offs with its neighbours on sea and land is its economic miracle, and a readiness of American, Japanese and even Indian companies to shift their jobs and factories to China. Lobbies have sprung in these countries to advocate China case, often to the dismay of policy makers in Washington and Tokyo. Delhi is no exception to the trend going by the case made out for Chinese companies in the telecom sector.

What is turning the tide against China is the perceived obstacles to sustained recovery of American economy, which was reduced to a glorified third world status by the housing bubble.  China has learnt from the American experience and is forcing its real estate sector to cool down. But its currency remains grossly undervalued and its exports are given massive subsidies. For President Obama, these Chinese actions translate into a loss of as many as 20 million jobs as the LA Times reported; he cannot afford to gloss over this grim reality in an election year to American parliament. His own re-election bid is due in another two years.

So, the point is, as the NYT headline suggests, China’s disputes in Asia are providing a perfect setting for the US to buttress its influence and to address concerns of  China’s neighbours and its own concerns about the modernization of Chinese navy and its long rang abilities. ASEAN is also looking towards India to keep China in check. Hence the invitation to the meeting on the Asia-Pacific region’s security architecture, being organised by the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) for the first time next month. Delhi has good relations with ASEAN member nations, particularly Vietnam and Malaysia, which are directly hit by Chinese actions. Presence of India and the US at the meeting will herald a new beginning in addressing collective interests in the globalised world.

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