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CHINA – JAPAN INLANDS DISPUTES AS the CHALLENGE in EVOLVING SECURITY ENVIRONMENT Krzysztof Załęski, Zdzisław Śliwa

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CHINA – JAPAN INLANDS DISPUTES AS the CHALLENGE in EVOLVING SECURITY ENVIRONMENT Krzysztof Załęski, Zdzisław Śliwa 1. SECURITY AND GEOPOLITICS CHINA – JAPAN INLANDS DISPUTES AS THE CHALLENGE IN EVOLVING SECURITY ENVIRONMENT Krzysztof załęsKi, zdzisław Śliwa ABSTRACT DOI: 10.26410/SF_2/19/3 The paper portrays the overall political–military situation in East Asia with the focus on security challenges involving major regional powers, namely China and Japan. It out- lines the regional implications of current maritime disputes as one of major security concerns in the East Asia. The main attention is given to territorial disagreements over Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands involving China and Japan as a dominant players in the region. Also smaller nations are mentioned as the disputes are strongly influencing their foreign policy and forcing development of defense capa- Krzysztof załęsKi [email protected] bilities. Additionally, the US position toward regional mat- WSB University dąbrowa Górnicza1, ters is provided as the nation is playing a significant role Poland there as an ally or potential opponent. zdzisław Śliwa KEYWORDS [email protected] East Asia, maritime disputes, China, Japan, Senkaku/Di- Baltic defence College, aoyu Islands. Estonia introduction The situation in Asia is still of interest of development, including military domain, the world based on economic develop- is causing some worries in Tokyo. At the ment of the continent, security concerns same time last changes in interpretation and the incoming decisions about future of Japanese law, close alliance relations of US presence after presidential elections with US and implementation of offensive in the Asia – Pacific region. The security weapon systems are observed carefully in domain of the continent is fragile and is it Beijing. What is important, history is playing worsened by bilateral and multilateral un- a significant role regarding relations be- solved territorial disputes. Currently rela- tween those two regional powers and that tions between China and Japan are among factor is used by both sides. The history challenges that could negatively influence is also related to ambitions of both to play the whole region. China’s multidimensional not only regional role but to be among 1 Opinions expressed by the author are his own views and they do not reflect in any way the official policy or posi- tion of the government of Poland. There is no potential conflict of interest related to the paper. 36 1.3. SECURITY AND GEOPOLITICS global powers. The tensions are linked developments are especially visible in the with disputes between two nations over allocation of resources and weapon pro- islands:Senkaku in Japanese or Diaoy- curement in China, Japan, and Russia, but uin Chinese as those possesses military it is linked with the US strategic shift from importance,there are raw resourcesin the Europe into the Pacific region. The situation East China Sea and national prestige is after presidential election in US in Novem- playing a role. So, none of two actors would ber 2016 is evenmore unpredictable as ex- give it up. For China it is related with se- pectations that “U.S. allies and partners in curity concepts named a ‘two island chain’ the region may no longer be able to count and an ‘anti-access/area denial’. Recogniz- on the kinds of the reassurance about ing the high potential for a change in the Washington’s security commitment that current sensitive situation and carefully ob- they have grown used to” and “will instill a serving the region US is constantly present much greater sense of uncertainty – even there along with progressive investments anxiety – in U.S. allies and partners in the 2 into military instruments of power. Russia is Asia-Pacific region” 1 . The situation however currently preoccupied in Ukraine and Syria evolved during president Trump term in of- but is observing carefully both China and fice; there are also prediction that he could Japan as of economic and security rea- win another term. sons looking into the future and struggling The paper will focus on relations between with economic shortfalls. The overall secu- China and Japan and possible challenges rity is important for Beijing to ensure conti- related to those fragile relationships. It will nuity of economic reforms to meet leader- also mention the importance of territorial is- ship and citizens’ expectations. Especially, sues and history, which is important factor as the nation is undergoing transformation among Asian nations shaping their mind of economy model and it requires above but also used pragmatic way for political all stability. At the same time, the military reasons. In that context islands related power is a tool to preserve national position disputes will be analyzed deeper. The mili- within the political landscape of the conti- tary buildup will be discussed and role of nent requiring development of force projec- security related organizations and treaties tion capabilities to defend, to strengthen will be covered as important security fac- deterrence factor and also to possess long tor involving not only both regional actors, range attack abilities to strike an opponent as ‘outside powers’ and nations are playing from a distance. Japan is not eager to ig- a role. It will allow to provide conclusions nite a conflict but national pride is surfacing and to draw a picture of possible develop- again not allowing any step back asking ments between those nations and their in- to preserve firm stand toward China. It is fluence on Asian security. preserving strategic relations with US and parallel is strengthening regional alliances. regional security develop- Maritime disputes among East Asian na- ments tions are a strong impetus for military build- The geopolitical changes in the East up and special attention is given to air force Asia are an important topic of debates as and navy and other land based long-range weapon systems. There is furthermore Yuki Tatsumi, “Trump Wins: Implications for US Allies and Partners in Asia,” The Diplomat, November 09, 2016, nuclear component based in China and http://thediplomat.com/2016/11/trump-wins-implica- US being strongdeterrence factor. Such tions-for-us-allies-and-partners-in-asia/ (accessed: November 12, 2018). CHINA – JAPAN INLANDS DISPUTES AS... 37 of continuously rising China, more ambi- competitors for the leader’s position on tious Japan and US commitment to the the global arena. US presence is of critical region. Among regional concerns,maritime importance for Japan as for now as its mili- disputes and conflicts have been noted by tary security is relying on the superpower’s major news agencies as they have poten- capabilities and support. A few smaller na- tial to develop into struggle for power. It is tions are similarly looking for any reliable op- especially important, as China and Japan tion to enhance their security situation and areready to take the lead in the region when some of them have been in other islands their period will come and capabilities will disputes with Beijing (Spratly and Paracel be there to make it happen. The directions Islands – see fig. 1). The disputes must be of possible confrontation could be trig- treated in broader context, as China is afraid gered by internal and external factors and of vulnerability of its East Coast and wants they are not fully predictable. to push a possible threat out of its shoreline. There are other actors there, like Russia, It is paralleled by threat of being contained having good political and economic rela- by US as explained Henry Kissinger; he saw tions with China and an intent to keep calm such the endangerment already during Mao relations with Japan. It is an arena of US era. He mentioned it in relation to a Chinese interests, followed by building and rebuild- game ‘go’ or ‘weiqi’3 in which to win it is nec- ing alliances in the region to face potential essary to surround an opponent. Fig. 1. Maritime disputes in the East Asia and Pacific Source: Based on: East Asia Political map 2011. Courtesy of the University of Texas Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_asia/txu-pclmaps-oclc-780028873-asia_east_pol-2011.jpg [accessed: October 26,2018]. 3 Henry Kissinger, O Chinach (On China), Polish edi- tion translated by M. Komorowska, (Wołowiec: Czarne Company, 2014), p. 115 38 1.3. SECURITY AND GEOPOLITICS Among instruments of power, the military regional substance of disputes one is very visible in the East Asia and is Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands are composed linked with armed forces modernizationin of just five uninhabited islands and three China causing accusations aboutaggres- rocks(the largest island- 4.32 km˛; the sive intentions toward neighbors. It is smallest 0.45 km˛). There are three nations speeding upan arms race in Asia. Is it the claiming their rights, as next to two major consequence of seeing a more powerful actors also Taiwan is involved. The geostra- nation advantage as potential source of tegic location is important among reasons threat and encouragement to forward na- to claim rights as having possessing them tional interests in expense of smaller and any of the three players is pushing potential weaker actors. In addition, Japan’s military threat far away fromown respective borders. build-up is observed with attention and On the other side, it is allowing deployment there are historically driven concerns in of military assets forward enhancing their it. Currently US involvement is stabilizing range causing a real threat for other claim- the security situation by building military ants (fig. 2). It is expressed by Akiyama Ma- bases and strengthened alliances. The sahiro, President of the Tokyo Foundation country has continued reinforcing capabili- claims that “should Japan lose sovereignty ties as stated by Washington’s leadership over the Senkaku Islands, however, China when discussing Asia – Pacific region: “its would gain considerable freedom for its na- development is vital to American strategic val activities in these waters.
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