(Kanwa news Feb 25) Presided over by the KWIC researcher Andrei Pinkov, a symposium on the Asian/Pacific security affairs was held on February 14 at the Sheraton Hotel in Toronto. The scholars from China, Japan, and Canada attended this symposium. The participants included Xi Laiwang, Research Professor of China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, Sun Hui Ming, Associate Professor of China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, Fu Qilin, Professor of China University of Political Science and Law, Ying Chunyi, Research Professor of China Academy of Social Sciences, and Aoyama Sigeharu, Researcher of the Political and Economic Research Center of Mitsubishi Comprehensive Research Institute.With regard to the issue of the Korean Peninsula, the Japanese scholar believes that the most justifiable reason why Japan should not be excluded from the Korean Peninsula peace talk is that Japan will be the country directly affected and concerned in case of a war on the Korean Peninsula. The penetration of North Korea's ballistic missiles and special troops to Japan is a threat that practically exists. Therefore, Japan has long been expecting a change in the composition of the member countries at the current peace talk. On the other hand, the Chinese scholars feel that the current situation in the Korean Peninsula is due to the certain objective factors that came into being through the passage of time. The USA has taken China as the major force for the solution to the Korea issue. Now that there is a US-Japan alliance, it is more realistic for the USA to be fully responsible for this issue.
The Japanese scholar believes that once the Second Korea War breaks out, the Japanese Self-defence Force should play an even more important role. At that time, Japan may suddenly cast off its old self to have a new look. For instance, its National Defence Department may become "the National Defence Ministry" and its Self-defence Force may be called "the National Army". For the Chinese scholars, it is not practical for Japan to expect an increase in the capabilities of its Self-defence Force and to further produce its impact only by taking advantage of the war that may break out in the surrounding Asian/Pacific region. On the contrary, once a war breaks out on the Korean Peninsula, the USA will be totally involved and China will be more concerned. Upon the request of the USA, Japan may see more restrictions.
As for the establishment of a multilateral Asian/Pacific security system, the Japanese scholar raises a question as to whether it is possible to set up a new multilateral security system which exceeds the structure of the current US-Japan alliance and which includes China. In response to this question, the Chinese scholars stress the importance of first creating a mutually trusting atmosphere before this issue is put into consideration. However, this is only the first step and it is necessary to discuss this issue in the long run. According to them, Asia is different from Europe where countries trust each other politically. Especially at present, the Cold War in Asia has not ended yet, for example, the issues of the Korean Peninsula, Taiwan, and the latest TMD. If it is not possible to establish a mutually trusting atmosphere to deal with these complicated and touchy issues, how can a multilateral security system be set up?
The Chinese scholars emphasize that the major reason why Japan considers establishing a "multilateral security system" lies in its dissatisfaction with the situation that has lasted for fifty years since the war. Japan tries to partially extricate itself from the political and even the military influence of the USA and to become a new political power in Asia. However, the above conceptions of Japan will arouse new vigilance from the other Asian countries. In the meantime, any new conceptions on multilateral security will become unrealistic without the participation and approval of China.
With reference to the TMD issue, the Chinese scholars emphasize the reason for China's firm opposition to the TMD is that the TMD bears a strong "regional" color. Why is it to escalate the trouble through the increased military investment after the Cold War ended? It definitely does not go along with the trend. It reminds us of the "Star War" Program initiated by Reagan. They are both of the same nature. That is to push the arms race to a new field. The TMD has brought about a new Cold War in Asia. As it may also make China lose its control over the situation in Taiwan, China may have to increase its military investment.
According to the Japanese scholar, the TMD bears a conception directed against China and this conception is from the government. However, the basic intention of Japan's TMD development is absolutely not "aimed at" China nor does it imply a confrontation against China. The so-called "directed against China" means that as China is an advanced country in the development of ballistic missiles, Japan should automatically "consider" this factor. A Chinese scholar feels that if both the USA and Japan declare that TMD is only a bilateral research program, which excludes Taiwan, then China will probably ease up its attitude ( Kanwa news ).
