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China's rising not all that 'peaceful'

While in the golden years of their power, China's leaders like to propose new discourses on the legitimacy of the communist regime.

After former Chinese president Jiang Zemin (江澤民) proposed the so-called "Three Represents," President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) and Premier Wen Jiabao (溫家寶) also posed the "Peaceful Rising" theory -- which has become the prevailing description of China's political and economic development.

Externally, China has conveyed the message that it wants to strengthen its role in the international community and is not seeking to become a hegemonic power. Internally it is building a new nationalism based on fashionable ideas including modernization, globalization and economic development.

There are several examples, however, that highlight the not-so-peaceful nature of China's "Peaceful Rising." In recent months, the Chinese government has engaged in diplomatic squabbles with South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Taiwan, and even its own administrative zone -- Hong Kong.

For example, a row erupted between China and South Korea in April when the former's ministry of foreign affairs removed a description of the ancient Korean Koguryo kingdom (37 BC-AD 668) from on its official Web site. This drew protests from the South Korean government. Meanwhile, Chinese academia now refers to Koguryo as a part of China in their so-called "northeastern project."

As for Sino-Japanese relations, Chinese fans treated the Japanese team in a rude manner during the Asian Cup soccer tournament. Even Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi protested the behavior of the Chinese, albeit indirectly.

The anti-Japan sentiment reached its climax on the day of the tournament. Team China's loss led to rioting and the burning of Japanese flags after the championship game. Angry Chinese fans also threw bottles at buses of the Japanese team. Even a limousine carrying a Japanese diplomat did not go unmolested.

Hong Kong came under Chinese administration in 1997. After the July 1 demonstration last year, Beijing has promoted patriotism there through the media while giving the region economic incentives to mute ongoing calls for democracy. Hong Kongers nonetheless desire democracy; the number of street protests this year surpassed those of last year.

In Taiwan's case, China's repression is relentless. The recent incident involving pop singer A-mei (阿妹), serves as a typical example of China's hostility toward the people of Taiwan and its government.

In recent years, China's successful efforts to catch up with the rest of the world include its entry into the WTO, its successful bids for the 2008 Olympic as well as the 2010 World Expo have all boosted the Chinese people's confidence.

A prevailing theory is emerging within China's academic community. As the gap between China's urban and rural areas broadens, nationalism has become the only way to unite the nation.

This characteristic is especially important as China's international influence grows. Since the gap between rich and poor has worsened, instilling a sense of nationalism among its people becomes increasingly necessary as a tool of social control.

Nationalism is on par with patriotism in China, and Chinese patriotism has its own traditions. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) originally rose from the working class and resistance to foreign imperialism was an important basis of the CCP's political mobilization in founding the People's Republic of China.

Traditionally, Chinese nationalism emphasizes that China is a "nation state" based on shared ties of blood, history, culture as well as other factors. In terms of political mobilization, it emphasizes the resistance to the world's former imperial powers.

This kind of nationalism could generate cultural chauvinism among the Chinese as it attempts to draw others into its sphere of influence.

During the handover of Hong Kong to China, the government emphasized the end of the historical humiliation of the region's cession to Britain, but denied Hong Kongers the political and economic autonomy which they built themselves.

The hatred directed toward the Japanese people during the Asian Cup tournament is the result of such patriotism. China's recent friction with Southeast Asian countries highlighted the not-so-peaceful nature of its so called "Peaceful Rising," and this is likely to continue.

In facing a belligerent China, Taiwan would do well to promote official and unofficial dialogue and exchanges with its neighbors to the south and west.

When dealing with Chinese nationalism, Taiwan must team up with other Southeast Asian countries to insist on peace and stability in the region.

Hsu Tung-ming is a freelance writer based in Beijing.

TRANSLATED BY EDDY CHANG
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