Martian2
SENIOR MEMBER
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- Dec 15, 2009
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I want to add one point here into the discussion and an appeal to our Chinese friends:
with growing power and prosperity so grows your responsibility in the world. Make friends not wars.
The original Chinese plan was to build up ASEAN economically and technologically to become the Chinese version of Europe (e.g. a close American ally). That plan went straight to hell. Vietnam and the Philippines, where China built dams, have shown they are willing to stab China in the back as soon as possible.
I'm pretty sure the CCP has gone back to the drawing board and the strategic goal of building Asian countries into prosperous and powerful countries has been thrown out the window. It would be insane to transfer technology and invest large sums of FDI to create strong Asian countries to oppose Chinese strategic goals.
We're back to leaving ASEAN countries in a technologically backward and economically fragile state. China will have to keep using less leverage and compromise with the Americans and Europeans. One against two isn't an optimal situation.
It would have been preferable to have two (China plus rich ASEAN) against two (America and Europe). However, it is better than one against three (including ungrateful backstabbing ASEAN).
I think China will pursue a more nuanced approach and build up Cambodia, Laos, and African countries. I'm betting that's where Chinese technology and money are headed.