Abstracts for Volume 4 of Peace and Development in 2014

China Faces More Complex Neighboring and International Environments

(All.pdf)

A Strategic Innovative Idea of Jointly Creating A Peaceful Development Environment in Asia in the New Century

--- Analyzing the Shanghai Summit of CICA

[Abstract] Asia today embraces both diverse cultures and complex conflicts in the world. Rapid economic development has not brought stability to Asia, and the geopolitical plate in Asia is undergoing drastic changes, with the mutual vigilance between the countries greatly enhanced. In this context, the Chinese leaders put forward a new concept of security in Asia, pushing the exploration of the Asian security environment to a new stage. In overcoming the regional security crisis in the Asian region, the new security concept in Asia advocated by Chinese leaders will also undergo knowledge and practice testing and will be constantly enriched.

[Key words] New concept of security in Asia, the CICA Summit

[The author] Xu Tao, former director and researcher in Institute of Russia and Central Asia of China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations

[Received date] 2014-07-14

Cross-border and Sub-regional cooperation and the Economic Belt in the Silk Road

                   --- from the Perspective of Geo-economics

[Abstract] China proposed the idea of the “Economic Belt in the Silk Road”, which is a strategic initiative with a global vision to help build a new platform for China to economically cooperate with Asian and European countries. Since the limited area of natural barriers in the regions covered by the economic belt in the Silk Road is not conducive to macro-oriented regional development, microscopic realm should be the focus and approached from promoting cross-border and sub-regional economic cooperation and advance the overall development “from point to area”. In this sense, the “Economic Belt in the Silk Road” is a typical cross-border and sub-region cooperation. “Sub-regional cooperation theory” is the theoretical support for China to build the economic belt in the Silk Road with Central Asia and South Asia. This paper aims to explore the cross-border cooperation routes in the economic belt in the Silk Road from the development rule of contemporary economic area and focus on the booster effect of border-based development of sub-regional economic zones on the mutual trust between countries and international cooperation.

[Key words] Sub-regional cooperation, border, development of new economic zones, the economic belt in the Silk Road

[The author] Xiao Yang, Ph.D., associate professor and research fellow in Research Center of International Affairs in Beijing International Studies University

[Received date] 2014-06-09

Principles of International Relations to be Inherited and Innovated

--- Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence

[Abstract] The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have gone through one cycle of 60 historical years and still glow with a strong appeal. It was introduced in the 1950s under a special historical background, with particular emphasis on mutual non-interference in internal affairs, reflecting the modern characteristics of international norm development. It is applicable to deal with relations between countries with the same or different systems and is of universal significance. Chinese diplomacy needs to adhere to the spirit of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence to properly handle diplomatic missions and strategic layout transformation, to develop a new type of international relations with the times, emphasize on resolving global issues through common consultative governance, to maintain and promote international peace and security, to promote a mutually beneficial and win-win development community, and to carefully process functional sovereignty transfer. China needs to continue to enrich and develop the connotation and denotation of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, resolve the constraints in practical application, and to enhance its universal applicability of regulating international relations. To this end, China needs to enhance the overall awareness and strategic culture, cultivate a correct concept of justice and benefit, always adhere to the strategy of innovation, and actively and properly participate in seeking effective solutions for issues involving state sovereignty and territorial integrity.

[Key words] Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, mutual non-interference in internal affairs, diplomatic transformation, strategic layout

[The author] Zhou Shixin, director of Big-power Diplomacy Office in Foreign Policy Research Institute of Shanghai Institute for International Studies

[Received date] 2014-05-06

On Japan’s Post-Cold War Geopolitical Thinking

[Abstract] Reflection on the Japanese prewar “geopolitics” and the boom of “Ocean State Theory” are the two main components of Japan’s post-Cold War geopolitical thinking. Advocating consolidated alliance with the United States and other “ocean state” and strengthening the containment and prevention of China and other “continental states”. After the Cold War, the studies on Japan’s post-Cold War geopolitics did not go beyond the scope of classical geopolitics and power confrontation, superstition for space fighting, and rendering of ideological confrontation are its main theoretical styles. Japan’s post-Cold War geopolitical thinking has an important influence on the current formulation and practice of Japanese foreign strategy after the Cold War.

[Key words] Japan, geopolitics, foreign strategy

[The author] Ge Hanwen, Ph.D. and associate professor of International Strategic Research Center of Nanjing Institute of International Relations

[Received date] 2014-05-25

Inter-Korean Relations and the Six-party Talks

[Abstract] The Korean peninsula was trapped into the confrontation impasse and the United States has taken the strategy to curb North Korea. Confrontation is unfavorable to the safety of both North Korea and South Korea. “The trust process of the Korean Peninsula” promoted by South Korea was blocked because both sides did not “talk to the point”. The inter-Korean relations again fell into predicament, without agreement, dialogue, or negotiation. The continued confrontation made it difficult to restart the six-party talks and the solution to the nuclear issue is still in the foreseeable future. Security risks are accumulating on the Peninsula. To break this situation, Korea needs to understand its structural limitations, to promote inter-Korean relations back to the reconciliation track agreed in the previous bilateral agreement, and push the restart of the six-party talks.

[Key words] Inter-Korean relations, Korean reunification, mutual trust measures, the six-party talks

[The author] Shi Yongming, associate researcher of China Institute of International Studies

[Received date] 2014-06-26

Military Modernization Program of the Philippines and the South China Sea Issue

[Abstract] Poor military strength and the South China Sea issue spawned a military modernization program in the Philippines. The South China Sea issue not only provides a legitimate excuse for the military reform and military expense growth in the Philippines, but also offers a reasonable ground for the US military to aid the Philippines and this becomes a breakthrough for the Philippines to seek regional advantages. The Philippines takes advantage of the complex and long-term South China Sea issue to achieve the strategic intent of developing military strength. Its effort to constantly promote the expansion of the South China Sea issue will continue in the future for a very long time.

[Key words] Philippines, military aspirations, the South China Sea, intentions and trends

[The author] Yang Yang, lecture of Afro-Asiatic Language Department in PLA University of Foreign Languages

[Received date] 2014-05-10

The Profound Impact of the Ukrainian Crisis on International Geopolitical Landscape

[Abstract] The Ukraine’s election ended and the new president was elected, but the Ukrainian crisis is far from over and the impact of the crisis on global geopolitics and international relations will be profound. This is reflected in: Ukraine has been basically included into the Western system basically; the relations between Russia and the West are severely deteriorated; the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation will be fully developed; Europe will again receive the attention of the United States; the international energy landscape will undergo profound changes. The Ukrainian crisis will to some extent restrict the implementation of the Obama administration’s “rebalancing strategy in Asia-Pacific”, but Obama will not give up it.

[Key words] The Ukrainian crisis, geopolitics, Russian-European relations, the US-European relations

[The author] Qian Wenrong, researcher of Research Center of World Affairs of Xinhua News Agency and senior researcher of Peace Development Fund for China Foundation for International Studies

[Received date] 2014-06-15

On the Situation in Europe under the Context of the Ukrainian Crisis

[Abstract] The EU has planned a “Color Revolution” in Ukraine, but it is difficult to control the development trends in Ukraine. This failure exposed following deficiencies of the EU: the continued economic downturn could not meet the requirements of the Ukrainian financial assistance; it was difficult to launch referendums for foreign and security policies and the national influence declined; with worsening employment, falling living standards, and rising extreme right, the European public trust in the EU further declined.

[Key words] Situation in Europe, trends in Ukraine

[The author] Ding Yuanhong, former director of Policy Research Center of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and former Chinese ambassador to the European Union

[Received date] 2014-05-20

Contemporary World Values Conflict and Prospects of Eurasian Integration

[Abstract] The Russian author compares the birth and development processes of the Soviet Union and Russia with the Western civilization to elaborate the “values conflict” between East and West in the contemporary world. Based on this comparison, he further suggests the outlook on the prospects of Eurasian integration, thinking that the main boundary in the future world will still be values: one side is occupied by supporters of absolute values while the other side stands relativists of ethics and values. Currently, although Western powers still exist, they have lost the dominant position in morality. The article cites the views of many scholars in Eurasia and has some reference value.

[Key words] Values conflict, Eurasian integration

[The author] А. В. Lukin is the vice dean of the Academy of Foreign Affairs of Russian Foreign Ministry and director of East Asian and Shanghai Cooperation Organization Studies Center in Moscow Institute of International Relations under Russian Foreign Ministry

[Received date] 2014-07-23