Hu to take 'peaceful rise' diplomacy to APEC
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-11-14 11:34

Joseph Cheng, a leading China watcher at the City University of Hong Kong, told AFP that China's consistent strategy is to ease global anxiety about its rise on the world stage.

"Chinese diplomacy is based on a broad strategy aimed at dispelling the 'China threat' perception and demonstrating that its expanding influence will be peaceful in nature," Cheng said.

"Chinese leaders will take every opportunity to demonstrate that they have common interests with major powers ... and that its growing political and economic power will be beneficial to smaller nations."

While setting up "strategic partnerships" with existing powers, China has used groupings such as APEC, the ASEAN Regional Forum and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to reassure smaller neighbors that it will respect their interests, Cheng said.

However, Taiwan question remains an explosive issue, Cheng said.

Following APEC, during a summit meeting with US President George W. Bush in Beijing, Hu will reiterate his hope for the peaceful reunification of Taiwan.

On the issue of Japan, Hu is likely to snub a request for a meeting with Koizumi at APEC because of the Japanese premier's recent visit to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, where World War II criminals are enshrined.

"Koizumi's visit to the Yasukuni Shrine has destroyed any possibility for a meeting and made bilateral relations the worst in years," said Shi Yinhong, director of the Center of American Studies at the People's University in Beijing.

China views the visits by Japanese leaders to the shrine as the biggest obstacle to better relations and a reflection of Japan's failure to show remorse over its World War II invasion of China.

Despite the hiccups over Taiwan and Japan, Hu will discuss the ongoing North Korean issue with South Korea, the United States and Russia, which are participating in the six-party talks, Shi said.

"China wants to see some concrete moves forward on the North Korean issue, so this will be discussed in detail in the private meetings at APEC," Shi said.

Hu will also lay out China's position for the World Trade Organization meeting in Hong Kong in December.

"On WTO, China will gradually take a more active role on the part of the developing countries and coordinate with India, Brazil and South Africa," Cheng said.