Asian giant yet to convince neighbors of its motives

China, which today celebrates its National Day, has faced a string of rows in the region as perception grows that it has become increasingly aggressive, jeopardizing relationships with neighboring countries.

Disputes have escalated not only with economic rival the US, but also with regional neighbors South Korea, Japan and ASEAN countries, to which China has used harsh rhetoric in its diplomacy.

“I see that with China becoming more assertive, reactive and aggressive in meeting its national interests, it is not entirely smooth yet in its effort to convince other countries in the region that the rise of China comes with peace,” Centre for Strategic and International Studies executive director Rizal Sukma said Wednesday.

Rizal said the rough diplomacy China has exercised to strengthen its position would eventually backfire.

University of Indonesia international relations expert Hariyadi Wirawan said China’s reactivity was in response to the US’s “encirclement” military alliance. “This policy is brought about upon China by the US and its allies in East Asia,” he said.

“History has shown that China has repeatedly been bullied by other countries. This time China won’t let its rivals bully or intimidate it again.”

The latest clash between China and the US in the South China Sea has put ASEAN countries at the center of the dispute. The US said China should solve the South China Sea dispute through international forum. ASEAN has since used the US’s statement to urge China to bring the matter to the negotiating table.

In the meantime, China wants to handle the issue with claimants bilaterally and discreetly, limiting the US’s influence in the dispute.

Rizal said China should go back to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, which it signed with ASEAN in 2002, to solve the issues and reduce regional tensions.

The declaration stipulates that the parties concerned reaffirm that the adoption of a code of conduct in the South China Sea would further promote peace and stability in the region and agree to work, on the basis of consensus, towards the eventual attainment of this objective.

“It is imminent to have a forum to frankly discuss the South China Sea disputes between China and ASEAN,” Rizal said. “Indonesia has to try to convince China that [the declaration] is the best available end.”

Presidential spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said Indonesia’s relations with China would be fine despite the South China Sea disputes because both nations already had a strategic partnership.

He said Indonesia had told China and other disputing parties they should refrain from any measures that could create tension.

“We don’t want to position ourselves where we have to choose one over another,” Faizasyah said, referring to the South China Sea disputes that have likely positioned Indonesia between China and the US.