Abstracts for Volume 5 of Peace and Development in 2014

New Security Concept in Asia and Its implications: the Perspective of Norms

(All.pdf)

[Abstract] After the Cold War, the implications of power and security in the Asia-Pacific Region have been changed greatly, and the old security concept that was established on the basis of the confrontation between two major military blocs has failed to adapt to the development of Asia. Advocating a new security concept has become the objective demand and historical inevitable trend of Asia. The proposal of new security concept in Asia is a conceptual innovation and also a significant change in security norms and order. The advocacy and practice of new Asian security concept will lead Asia to shift from exogenous to endogenous security order, from conflict to cooperation, and from power to creation.

[Key words] New security concept of Asia, norms, mechanism, order

[The author] Jiang Zhida, association research fellow and doctoral supervisor of Research Center of Sino-US Relations in Chinese Institute of International Studies, consultant on “Freedom and Safe Stability of Sailing in South China Sea” of Collaborative Innovation Center of South China Sea Studies

[Received date] 2014-08-10

Indian Ocean: An Important Direction for China to Achieve Strategic Expansion in the 21st Century

[Abstract] In the 21st century, the Indian Ocean has a special meaning for China, not only because it is associated with the energy security and development interests of China, but also because it is related to the diplomatic layout of China and its construction of marine power. Thus, the Indian Ocean represents an important direction for China to seek strategic expansion in the new century. Understanding the geopolitical strategy characteristics of the Indian Ocean and the main challenges faced by China in this region will help China outline a useful channel to make reasonable use of the Indian Ocean.

[Key words] The Indian Ocean, China, strategic expansion

[The author] Song Dexing, director, professor and Ph.D. instructor of Center for International Strategy Studies in Nanjing Institute of International Relations and contract research fellow of Peace and Development

[Received date] 2014-08-18

The Development of India's Foreign Relations and Its Impact on Sino-India Relations in Recent Years

[Abstract] While taking the South Asian neighbors as the primary fronts of its foreign policy, India continues to deepen the “Look East” policy, focusing on developing relations with powers outside the region while putting forward the new diplomatic idea of “Connecting Central Asia” and constantly developing its relations with the middle Europe and African countries. India’s foreign relations develop in an all-round, multilevel and focused manner, which may bring opportunity of cooperation for Sino-India relations or may cast shadow on that. However, the potential for cooperation is greater than that for conflict and a win-win situation is a more likely result.

[Key words] India, foreign relations, new trend, Sino-India relations

[The author] Li Li, doctoral student of Institute of International Studies of Yunnan University, associate research fellow of Editorial Department of Southeast Asia of Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences; Qiu Xinfeng, graduate student of Institute of International Studies of Yunnan University

[Received date] 2014-07-15

On the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Partnership

[Abstract] The Vietnam and the US have been adapting to each other for a long run since the normalization of bilateral relations. In July 2013, Vietnam’s President Truong Tan Sang and US President Barack Obama issued a “Joint Declaration”, announcing that the two countries are building a comprehensive partnership. This comprehensive partnership is the result of the development of bilateral relations between the two countries in the post-cold war era and also the result of rapidly increased bilateral strategic relations under the context of Asia-Pacific rebalancing strategy implemented by the US. This comprehensive partnership involves cooperation that covers many fields and will further promote the development of the bilateral relations between Vietnam and the US and have some influence on the Asia-Pacific geopolitical relations and the Sino-Vietnam relations.

[Key words] Partnership, Vietnam, US, “Joint Declaration”

[The author] Yu Xiangdong, professor in Vietnam institute, School of Marxism, Zhengzhou University; Song Xiaosen, graduate student majoring in world history in School of History, Zhengzhou University

[Received date] 2014-09-15

Development of Laos under the Involvement of Powers and Game among the Power

[Abstract] Laos announced to embark on an innovation and opening path in 1986, but it did not fully implement its all-directional foreign policy until the 21^st century. Since then, driven by the political globalization and the integration of ASEAN, the all-directional diplomacy of Laos has gradually taken shape and progressed, improving Laos’ relations with a number of countries. At the same time, powers like the United States, Japan, India, Russia, and the European Union, as well as international organizations, have also begun to offer more aid and carry out more economic cooperation with Laos and have launched a competition of “soft power” in Laos with Vietnam and China, thereby having a profound impact on the bilateral relations of China and Laos.

[Key words] Great powers, compete, Laos

[The author] Wei Jianfeng, lecturer and Ph.D. of history in a PLA unit; Dong Xiaoguang, a regimental military officer in a PLA unit

[Received date] 2014-07-10

Security Situation and Future Development Trend in Central Asia

[Abstract] Due to its geographical location, rich energy storage and complex political and social environment, Central Asia has an important status in the international political arena. From the perspective of regional security complex theory, this paper sorts the development process of the security in Central Asia, clarifies the type of Central Asia as an independent regional security complex, and discusses its development in regional and global interaction in order to identify the future development trend.

[Key words] Central Asia, regional security complex theory, security situation, development trend

[The author] Ma Jianguang, deputy chief engineer of School of Humanities and Social Sciences, professor and executive deputy director of Center of International Studies of National University of Defense Technology; Zhang Chao, graduate student of School of Humanities and Social Sciences of International Studies of National University of Defense Technology; Sun Ran, graduate student of School of Humanities and Social Sciences of International Studies of National University of Defense Technology

[Received date] 2014-07-15

Prospects of Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area under the Context of TTP-RCEP Game

[Abstract] The current regional economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region has taken on many new characteristics, such as multiple frameworks, multiple levels, high standards, wide coverage, and highlighting strategic interests and other non-traditional gains. However, the risks in implementing the strategy of Regional Trade Agreements (RTA) have appeared. The overlapping of many RTAs has led to a “spaghetti bowl” effect, increasing operating costs and other negative effects. Due to these factors, a competition between TPP and RCEP appears in the trend of wide integration in the Asia-Pacific region, resulting in institutional division and fragmentation. How to restore the APEC vitality and promote the progress of Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area under the framework of APEC is a huge challenge.

[Key words] Integration in the Asia-Pacific region, opportunities and challenges of CAFTA

[The author] Quan Yi, member of China National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation Council, editor-in-chief of Asia-Pacific Economic Review of Fujian Academy of Social Sciences, and research fellow in China-ASEAN Research Institute of Guangxi University

[Received date] 2014-08-11

Prospects of African-American Relations from the African-American Summit

[Abstract]  As the US has gradually clarified its strategy towards Africa and the international community has significantly enhanced its attention on Africa, the first African-American summit was held in the US, marking the US’s increased attention on Africa and its plan to strengthen the African-American relations as an important part of its foreign policy. The summit provided an important platform for political, economic and strategic cooperation between the two sides, which made a series of important achievements in the summit, and especially significant progress has been made in economic and trade cooperation. However, the strategic demands of both sides have not been fully realized, and the summit outlook still remains unclear. With the increasing importance of Africa in international affairs, the US will pay more attention to Africa and the African-American relations will surely further develop. However, there is uncertainty as the two sides show fundamental differences in the areas, way and concept of cooperation and they are also influenced by the international and domestic political and economic situations.

[Key words] African-American summit, African-American relations, the US’s strategy towards Africa

[The author] Wang Xinying, lecturer and Ph.D. of School of Marxism of Dalian University of Technology

[Received date] 2014-09-15

Tragedy and Solution of Thailand Democracy

[Abstract] On May 22, 2014, the Thai army announced coup, putting an end to the political crisis that had last for six months in Thailand. Over the decades since open constitutional democracy was adopted in the country, several political crisis and social chaos have been ended by military coups and this is a sad story about the democracy in Thailand. The political history in Thailand shows that neither copying the western democracy nor sticking to the old model of military dictatorship would work. What’s the solution? The author thinks that the solution may lie in a strong and authoritative government that puts national economic development as the center of all work and adheres to the priority of national interests and improved living standard of people over the interests of any party under an authoritarian democracy system and seek to gradually achieve the fundamental goal of national governance after years of efforts.

[Key words] Thai democracy, military rule, the Red Shirts, the Prayuth government

[The author] Zhang Xizhen, professor and doctoral supervisor of Department of International Politics, School of International Studies, Peking University and visiting professor of Thammasat University

[Received date] 2014-10-08