With the recent growth in its economy, China has become increasingly involved in Southeast Asian military affairs, establishing military links with Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia and Malaysia.
This extends not only to military aid and loans, bilateral talks on military issues, joint production of military equipment and joint training exercises, but also includes participation in regional security forums and the signing of defensive memorandums of understanding (MOU).
On Sept. 2, China signed an MOU on bilateral defense cooperation with Malaysia. This is the first agreement of its kind that China has signed with a country in this region, and covers military training, exchange of intelligence and strengthening military dialogue.
In mid-August, China and Russia engaged in joint amphibious military exercises on the Shandong Peninsula and in Russia's far eastern territories. With such an active expansion of its military presence in both Southeast and Northeast Asia, we cannot afford to ignore China's influence.
Under the terms of the MOU on bilateral defense cooperation, a Sino-Malay Joint Committee will be established through which constant dialogue can take place to enhance bilateral defensive capabilities.
The MOU also provides for military training, exchange of personnel and visits, exchange of information and improved communication to achieve a better mutual understanding of each other's views on regional security.
But the MOU does not touch on the security of the Strait of Malacca, nor on the sensitive issue of the Spratly Islands.
The reason that China has been able to break out of US attempts at containment and sign such an MOU with Malaysia is largely because Malaysia has revised its attitude toward China.
It no longer views China as a threat to the security of Southeast Asia.
Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said that Malaysia now sees China as an important emerging economy and a major military power that will necessarily play an important role in regional security.
This year, China celebrated the 600th anniversary of Zheng He's (鄭和) voyages to the South Seas.
To enhance the celebration of this nautical achievement, preparations began last year, with China taking the initiative to involve Malaysia in organizing a series of joint activities -- including conferences -- through which it will be able to express the importance it places on the security of the Strait of Malacca.
It was 600 years ago that China made incursions into this area under the pretext of protecting the sea lanes of the Strait of Malacca from what was then Siam.
Using its influence with ethnic Chinese Palembang on Sumatra, it was able to enforce a protectorate status on the area, receiving tribute from nearby kingdoms to support its imperial economy.
Six hundred years later, China is aiming to reassert its influence in the Strait of Malacca.
It has shown its concern, even announcing that if there is any incident in the Strait of Malacca that is detrimental to Chinese interests, it would engage in discussions with the sovereign nation to work out a resolution.
In the event of a serious situation occurring, on the premise that the UN and the sovereign nation request it, China is now prepared to extend humanitarian aid.
Last month, China sent a delegation -- the first ever -- to participate in a two-day meeting in Jakarta dealing with security in the Malacca and Singapore straits entitled "Enhancing Safety, Security and Environment Protection."
The Chinese representative reiterated that based on the requests of coastal nations in the region, China would mobilize resources to assist them in improving their capabilities, the exchange of technology services and personnel training.
From this, the intentions of the Chinese to become involved in the region of the Malacca Strait are perfectly obvious.
China is clearly using the 600th anniversary of Zheng He's trip as an excuse for expanding military activity into Southeast Asia.
But while the point of entry remains the same, the goals are different.
In the past it was to secure access to Western goods, but in the present, it is to secure access to oil to fuel its continued economic development.
In the wake of Myanmar's subordination to Chinese pressure, Malaysia too has become a frontline position for the Chinese military. Will this lead to a domino effect?
Clearly the nature of China's relationship with ASEAN is changing from being purely commercial to being military as well. Southeast Asian nations should be wary of this.
Currently, the attention of the US and Japan is focused on the Korean Peninsula, but if Southeast Asia is neglected, this could lead to trouble.
Chen Hurng-yu is a professor of political history at National Cheng Chi University.
Translated by Ian Bartholomew
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