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Updated Wednesday, August 25, 2010 10:30 am TWN, By Frank Ching

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China warns US-friendly neighbors

That is to say, it would be a mistake for South Korea to think that it could rely on the United States to deal with its mighty neighbor — China.

A similar warning was delivered to Vietnam, which recently conducted its first joint naval engagement activities with the United States.

The aircraft carrier George Washington also sailed to Vietnam after exercises east of the Korean peninsula. Perhaps even more significantly, Vietnam and the United States held their first defense dialogue last week at a time when Washington's military-to-military dialogue with Beijing remains suspended.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Jiang Yu, warned that Vietnam's situation was “as precarious as a pile of eggs” with potential hazards lurking on every side.

Vietnam, she warned, is incurring Chinese displeasure. Hanoi “might well overestimate the capacity of Uncle Sam's protective umbrella,” she declared bluntly. “Should China and Vietnam truly come into military clashes, no aircraft carrier of any country can ensure it to remain secure.”

She advised Vietnam to “give up the illusion that it can do what it likes in the South China Sea under the protection of the American navy.”

China is also pointing out to one and all that the United States is bogged down in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and, facing a difficult economic and fiscal situation, is taking steps to reduce its military expenditures.

Thus, the People's Daily online reported the dismantling of the Joint Forces Command, established less than a year ago in Norfolk, Virginia to focus on the transformation of U.S. military capabilities.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said that though the defense budget is growing by one or two percentage points a year, this is not enough to maintain today's fighting capabilities, which requires growth of two to three percent.

China, on the other hand, is in much better financial shape and can afford to have its defense budget grow by close to double digits every year. While the Chinese strategy of threats and intimidation may have some effect, it would be much wiser for China to return to its old policy of emphasizing goodwill and joint development.

China's charm offensive since the 1980s was hugely effective. Resorting to threats and blackmail may cow some of the smaller countries in Asia but will not create reliable friends and allies, which is what China needs.

Frank Ching can be reached at Frank.ching@gmail.com

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Comments

August 25, 2010 GlobalView@

Maybe the PLA and Beijing should focus more on saving their own citizens from mudslides instead of telling their neighbors who they can work with. Sorry but China is not yet a world power. Not with a GDP per capita of $6,567 (source. 2009 IMF). That is just below Namibia. Southeast Asia should continue working with the US if they want to maintain long term sovereignty.

August 26, 2010 maxg123@

Good Relationships Cut Both Ways

Well perhaps China should be a responsible stakeholder and not turn a blind eye to 46 dead South Korean sailors. If China really cared about it's neighbours it wouldn't have remained silent throughout. Because of that now half of Asia realises China chooses its own agenda and allies first and the interest of its neighbours second. China has only itself to blame.

August 26, 2010 valwayne@

It’s hard to believe the U.S. Navy let itself be run out of the Yellow Sea, twice, because China is trying to scare it away. That was a political decision. What is going on now is China's correct calculation that the U.S. has weak leadership in Obama and it can take advantage. Unfortunately they are right!!!!

August 26, 2010 heinzng1@

China is NOT the only country in the world, the bully tactic is NOT new to whoever knew China's history. China also should know "the fish eats the ants, and the ants also eat the fish". BIG guns do not win any wars,

August 26, 2010 lhtaj@

More money does not imply a better advanced army as China has to import parts! It is technology, not money!
No one has every won a big war without allies. More people only mean a greater barbecue in the modern warfare!
Bravo the Chinese assertion! We can enjoy seafood, cappuccino at a great deal!

August 26, 2010 stlwdmzj@

If you respect China's interests, yours will be respected, too. if you get confrontational, China will do the same.

August 26, 2010 mahumane1@

The Africans have a saying: 'When elephants fight, the grass suffers'. The small nations should keep away from the big guy's quarrel.

August 27, 2010 Tallho@

valwayne@ wrote:
It’s hard to believe the U.S. Navy let itself be run out of the Yellow Sea, twice, because China is trying to scare it away. That was a political decision. What is going on now is China's correct calculation that the U.S. has weak leadership in Obama and it can take advantage. Unfortunately they are right!!!!

That's so true. When Obama is gone, the U.S. will once again have leadership. Don't worry about the PLA. Come on, everything made in China is cheap and breaks. Just wait until they try to use anything they made.

August 27, 2010 chipheo@

What are china's interests? My homeland, my family? Do I need to tell you who I want to be friend with? It's 21st century, it's not like WWI/WWII.

August 27, 2010 HARRY_YU@

This is what Taiwan has to put up with when trying to forge closer ties with China. Watch out or, one day, Taiwan could be bullied into an unequal partnership with Communist China.

China fancies itself as a world power?!! That's funny, because they couldn't even prevent construction from causing a days long traffic jam!!

August 27, 2010 ludahai_twn@

And warnings like this will simply push more countries who are concerned about Chinese dominance in the region to seek closer relations with the US and potentially even Japan. This is NOT something the smaller states of the region want to hear.

August 27, 2010 Minh69x@

Hey selfish china, your neighbors want to be friends with any countries if they want. Do Not threaten your neighbors because you are big. Even the United States is stronger than china and the US don't threaten any country who they should be friend with, not even evil like North Korea. China stop scaring your neighbors.... If you mess with small countries, the U N will clear you out of the map, like Saddam did to Kuwait....

August 28, 2010 PUPPETINING@

stlwdmzj@ wrote:
If you respect China's interests, yours will be respected, too. if you get confrontational, China will do the same.

CHINA MILITARY POWER TO CONTROL PACIFIC OCEAN

August 29, 2010 RightOn@

stlwdmzj@ wrote:
If you respect China's interests, yours will be respected, too. if you get confrontational, China will do the same.

So what you are saying is...if you think freedom of speech and religion are basic human rights than China will get confrontational with you. Very well said.

August 30, 2010 roy_mc_coy@

It makes one wonder why China is so supportive of the evil North Korean regime starving its own population.
Why they don’t have freedom of press?

September 9, 2010 fairbro@

If China, Inc. (owned by the Chinese military) actually gave two farts about the rest of the world, they would at least diplomatically protest the treatment of ethnic Chinese in Indonesia.

September 9, 2010 fairbro@

I see that China, Inc. employs hosts of spammers to repeat the Red Chinese spin on any website brave enough to post questions about the party, just as they flooded the internet with messages from "Bob" and "Jill" when people in the rest of the world questioned the Chinese censorship during the Beijing Olympics.