The ‘accelerated economic integration’ aid packages come with a lot of perks for the Chinese economy, as well as political ambitions, such as:
• China’s trade with the 10-member ASEAN has nearly doubled from $105.9 billion in 2004 to $202.5 billion in 2007
• In spite of the rising effect of the global economic crisis, Chinese trade in ASEAN ‘accelerated’ in 2008 by 14% or the amount of US$231.12 billion. This makes ASEAN China’s fourth-largest trading partner
• There is now a general pro-Chinese sentiment in the region, making it easier for Chinese companies to secure contracts for natural gas exploration in Myanmar, large scale agriculture projects in the Philippines, and to build transportation infrastructure in Thailand and Laos
• China has slowly repaired its image in the region via numerous ‘goodwill investments’ such as the construction of national stadiums, cultural centers, and friendship roads and bridges.
ASEAN’S magnanimous neighbor has also been increasing its naval might, making the maritime nations of Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam wary of China’s impending plans. China is also adamant in staking its claims on the fuel-rich Spratly Islands, north of the Philippines and claimed by the latter as within its territorial waters.
Which brings to light China’s real intention in Southeast Asia.
China’s improved relations with Southeast Asia, bought through ‘aid,’ have everything to do with the struggle for regional dominance that is still attributed to the US. As it is widely known, US strategic presence in Asia is very much due to its overwhelming presence in Southeast Asia. China’s soft power initiatives in the region, therefore, have slowly but surely stolen the dominant position from the US.
Dig even deeper and you’re bound to hit the real reason behind China’s generosity and magnanimity.
Southeast Asia is the most strategic geographical point in the potential US-China conflict. Much of ‘China’s oil and gas imports pass through the narrow Malacca Straits, a potential strategic chokepoint.’ There is also such a thing as the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. China is already a signatory in 2003 while the US isn’t, still. In the event of a US-China conflict, the ASEAN position is of crucial importance.
So, aid is never really just aid. In fact, aid has nothing to do with aid at all.
