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Submarine docking sign of China promoting peace and stability in Southeast Asia
By Xu Liping Source: Global Times Published: 2017/1/11
Illustration: Liu Rui/GT
Earlier this month, a submarine of the People's Liberation Army Navy visited Malaysia and arrived at the port of Kota Kinabalu, which was the first time for a Chinese submarine visiting Malaysia.
The docking place of the submarine, Kota Kinabalu, operates as an important naval base for the Royal Malaysian Navy, which faces the South China Sea. The visit shows that the political trust between China and Malaysia has reached a new high. Following this visit, it is likely that Chinese submarines will continue to be docked in Malaysia, further promoting bilateral military cooperation.
In addition, it reflects that military cooperation between the two countries will not be affected by the South China Sea disputes.
Last year, the disputes in the South China Sea made waves in Southeast Asian countries. However, with the improvement of Sino-Philippine relations and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's visit to China, countries involved have enhanced their relations and strengthened cooperation with China. The stopover of the submarine revealed the two sides' resolution to peacefully resolve the South China Sea disputes and further solidify the positive momentum of the South China Sea.
The Sino-Malaysian defense cooperation is multifaceted. The first level of the cooperation is the exchanges of military personnel and the second one is joint military exercises.
Now a Chinese submarine is docked at a port in Malaysia. This indicates that the bilateral cooperation has deepened, and the Sino-Malaysian cooperation has been at the forefront of the cooperation between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Since China's submarine was docked in Malaysia, some Western media said it was a rare public appearance of China's growing undersea force and it's a sign of power restructuring in Southeast Asia. This is the typical "China threat" theory.
Traditionally, Southeast Asian countries have relied on the US for security and China for economy. This situation will change in the future as more Southeast Asian countries have realized that China is a trustworthy partner in security. China can also, to some extent, shape the region's peace and stability. China's military power is a peaceful force, which will not threaten other countries.
When China's submarine stopped in Malaysia, two Russian warships visited the Philippines. It was argued by some Western media that the visit of China's and Russia's navy ships "reflect a reorientation of defense ties in the region [Southeast Asia] - and beyond - as Beijing and Moscow seek to reshape a global security architecture that has been dominated by the US for decades."
It is normal for Russia to increase the presence of its force in Southeast Asia as this region cannot be dominated by the US. Besides, Southeast Asia has seen a change in the balance of power. The influences of China and Russia in the region have heightened while the influence of the US has declined.
What's more, with the US failing to meet the security demands of Southeast Asian countries, more countries in the region will turn to China and Russia for security. It is suggested that other countries discard their Cold War mind-set and use cooperative and win-win attitudes to deal with the security architecture of Southeast Asia.
China does not want to become the second US in the region. But Southeast Asia is one of China's closest neighbors, and its peace and stability is closely related to China's national interests. In building its future defense ties with Southeast Asia, China could play a more constructive role. It can offer more public goods for its security and defense cooperation with countries in the region. China can contribute to the establishment of security cooperation mechanisms around the South China Sea.
The author is a senior fellow of the National Institute of International Strategy, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn
@powastick , @Dungeness , @Cybernetics
By Xu Liping Source: Global Times Published: 2017/1/11
Illustration: Liu Rui/GT
Earlier this month, a submarine of the People's Liberation Army Navy visited Malaysia and arrived at the port of Kota Kinabalu, which was the first time for a Chinese submarine visiting Malaysia.
The docking place of the submarine, Kota Kinabalu, operates as an important naval base for the Royal Malaysian Navy, which faces the South China Sea. The visit shows that the political trust between China and Malaysia has reached a new high. Following this visit, it is likely that Chinese submarines will continue to be docked in Malaysia, further promoting bilateral military cooperation.
In addition, it reflects that military cooperation between the two countries will not be affected by the South China Sea disputes.
Last year, the disputes in the South China Sea made waves in Southeast Asian countries. However, with the improvement of Sino-Philippine relations and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's visit to China, countries involved have enhanced their relations and strengthened cooperation with China. The stopover of the submarine revealed the two sides' resolution to peacefully resolve the South China Sea disputes and further solidify the positive momentum of the South China Sea.
The Sino-Malaysian defense cooperation is multifaceted. The first level of the cooperation is the exchanges of military personnel and the second one is joint military exercises.
Now a Chinese submarine is docked at a port in Malaysia. This indicates that the bilateral cooperation has deepened, and the Sino-Malaysian cooperation has been at the forefront of the cooperation between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Since China's submarine was docked in Malaysia, some Western media said it was a rare public appearance of China's growing undersea force and it's a sign of power restructuring in Southeast Asia. This is the typical "China threat" theory.
Traditionally, Southeast Asian countries have relied on the US for security and China for economy. This situation will change in the future as more Southeast Asian countries have realized that China is a trustworthy partner in security. China can also, to some extent, shape the region's peace and stability. China's military power is a peaceful force, which will not threaten other countries.
When China's submarine stopped in Malaysia, two Russian warships visited the Philippines. It was argued by some Western media that the visit of China's and Russia's navy ships "reflect a reorientation of defense ties in the region [Southeast Asia] - and beyond - as Beijing and Moscow seek to reshape a global security architecture that has been dominated by the US for decades."
It is normal for Russia to increase the presence of its force in Southeast Asia as this region cannot be dominated by the US. Besides, Southeast Asia has seen a change in the balance of power. The influences of China and Russia in the region have heightened while the influence of the US has declined.
What's more, with the US failing to meet the security demands of Southeast Asian countries, more countries in the region will turn to China and Russia for security. It is suggested that other countries discard their Cold War mind-set and use cooperative and win-win attitudes to deal with the security architecture of Southeast Asia.
China does not want to become the second US in the region. But Southeast Asia is one of China's closest neighbors, and its peace and stability is closely related to China's national interests. In building its future defense ties with Southeast Asia, China could play a more constructive role. It can offer more public goods for its security and defense cooperation with countries in the region. China can contribute to the establishment of security cooperation mechanisms around the South China Sea.
The author is a senior fellow of the National Institute of International Strategy, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn
@powastick , @Dungeness , @Cybernetics
